Sports Idioms

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drop the ball

Meaning: To make a mistake or fail to do something you were responsible for.

Example: The manager dropped the ball when he forgot to send the report on time. Read more ➺


toe the line

Meaning: To follow rules or obey authority.

Example: The new recruits had to toe the line if they wanted to avoid punishment. Read more ➺


set the pace

Meaning: To establish the standard, speed, or level that others follow.

Example: The new company has set the pace for innovation in the tech industry. Read more ➺


face off

Meaning: To confront someone directly in a conflict or competition.

Example: The two leaders will face off in tomorrow's crucial election debate. Read more ➺


kick the ball in the long grass

Meaning: To delay action and put off dealing with something difficult or controversial.

Example: The government chose to kick the ball in the long grass on tax reform until after the election. Read more ➺


right off the bat

Meaning: Immediately, without delay.

Example: We knew right off the bat that the project would be a success. Read more ➺


come into play

Meaning: To become active, relevant, or influential in a situation.

Example: New technology came into play to solve the problem. Read more ➺


hard yards

Meaning: Significant effort or hard work, especially in challenging tasks.

Example: She's already done the hard yards to establish her business. Read more ➺


move the goalposts

Meaning: To unfairly change the rules, criteria, or conditions of a task or competition in the middle of it.

Example: After I submitted the project, my boss decided to move the goalposts by adding three new requirements that were not in the original brief. Read more ➺


on the back foot

Example: After the unexpected merger announcement, our company found itself on the back foot in the market. Read more ➺


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