Sports Idioms
Idioms from games, competition, balls, cards, races, boxing, and athletic strategy.
Browse sports idioms
The ball is in your court
It is now your turn to take action or make a decision.
Throw in the towel
To concede defeat or admit a struggle isn't worth continuing.
Spill the beans
Reveal a secret or disclose information prematurely.
Jump on the bandwagon
Adopt a popular trend or join others in doing something.
Fight tooth and nail
Struggle vigorously and aggressively to achieve something.
Ace in the hole
A hidden advantage kept in reserve until it's needed.
Let sleeping dogs lie
Do not disturb a situation that is currently calm, even if there is a conflict beneath the surface.
At the drop of a hat
Immediately, without hesitation.
Beat around the bush
Avoid stating something directly.
Belt and braces
Excessively cautious, applying redundant safeguards.
Blue in the face
Extremely frustrated from repeating something.
Calm before the storm
A peaceful period preceding chaos.
Dark horse
An unexpected contender or talent.
Hit the nail on the head
To say or identify something exactly right, with no wasted guessing.
Keep your eye on the ball
Stay focused on the goal.
Knock it out of the park
Perform extremely well.
Let the cat out of the bag
To reveal a secret, usually by accident or earlier than intended.
Raise the bar
Elevate standards or expectations.
A dime a dozen
Very common and of little value.
A picture is worth a thousand words
Visuals can convey complex ideas faster than text alone.
All in
Fully committed to an action.
Beat a dead horse
Waste effort on something already decided.
Between a rock and a hard place
Stuck between two negative options.
Drop the ball
Fail to do something expected.
Jump the gun
Start too soon or act prematurely.
Lick your wounds
Recover from a defeat.
Lock horns
Enter into conflict.
Not pull punches
Speak bluntly without softening.
Push the envelope
Challenge limits or experiment beyond norms.
Keep your nose to the grindstone
Work diligently without distraction.
On the ball
Alert and quick to respond.
Play devil's advocate
Argue an opposing view for debate purposes.
Play it by ear
Decide actions spontaneously as events unfold.
Roll with the punches
Adapt to difficulties gracefully.
Shoot for the stars
Aim for ambitious goals.
Split hairs
Argue over trivial differences.
Steal someone's thunder
Take credit for someone else's idea.
Sticks and stones
Words cannot cause real harm.
Touch base
Briefly check in or reconnect.
Wear your heart on your sleeve
Display emotions openly.
Call it quits
Stop doing something.
Face the music
Accept unpleasant consequences.
Go the distance
Complete something successfully.
Live and let live
Allow others to live as they choose.
Ace up your sleeve
A secret advantage saved for a decisive moment.
After the fact
Realized or addressed too late.
Beat the odds
Succeed despite unlikely circumstances.
Bury the hatchet
Make peace after a quarrel.
Clear the air
Resolve tension through open discussion.
Dead heat
An exact tie in a contest.
Fish or cut bait
Act decisively or step aside.
Get the ball rolling
Start a project or process.
Lay your cards on the table
Be honest about intentions.
Pay the piper
Face the consequences.
Stand your ground
Maintain your position despite pressure.
Carry the day
Win the victory or gain the advantage.
Chip on your shoulder
Carrying a grudge or feeling defensive about a perceived slight.
Level playing field
Create fair conditions so everyone has equal opportunity.
Let your guard down
Relax and stop being defensive.
Neck and neck
Two competitors are very close in performance.
Needle in a haystack
Something extremely difficult to find.
Out of the woods
No longer in danger or difficulty.
Piece of cake
Something that is very easy to do, especially compared with what was expected.
Put your best foot forward
Present yourself in the best possible light.
Raise the roof
Make a lot of noise or celebrate loudly.
Take the heat
Accept blame or criticism on behalf of others.
Back to square one
Return to the beginning after a failed effort.
Batten down the hatches
Prepare for trouble or a difficult situation.
Be careful what you wish for
Desires may produce unwanted consequences.
Call the bluffs
Challenge someone's false claims or threats.
Close but no cigar
Almost successful but not quite.
Dog and pony show
A showy presentation designed to impress.