- Get the ball rolling – Start something.
Example: Let’s get the ball rolling on this project today. - Out of left field – Unexpected or unusual.
Example: His comment came out of left field and surprised everyone. - Drop the ball – Make a mistake.
Example: She really dropped the ball by forgetting the deadline. - Call the shots – Be in control.
Example: In this company, the manager calls the shots. - Level playing field – Fair situation.
Example: The new rules created a level playing field for all competitors. - Game plan – A strategy or plan of action.
Example: We need a solid game plan to win the contract. - Throw in the towel – Give up.
Example: After several failed attempts, he threw in the towel. - Par for the course – Normal or expected.
Example: Minor setbacks are par for the course in business. - In full swing – At the peak of activity.
Example: The party was already in full swing when we arrived. - Down to the wire – At the very last moment.
Example: The election went down to the wire. - Keep your eye on the ball – Stay focused.
Example: To succeed, you must keep your eye on the ball. - Dropkick – Reject or dismiss forcefully.
Example: They dropkicked the proposal immediately. - In the ballpark – Roughly correct estimate.
Example: Your guess is in the ballpark of the actual figure. - Ballpark figure – Approximate number.
Example: Can you give me a ballpark figure for the cost? - Move the goalposts – Change the rules unfairly.
Example: It feels like they’re moving the goalposts every week. - Step up to the plate – Take responsibility.
Example: It’s time to step up to the plate and lead the team. - Throw a curveball – Surprise or challenge someone.
Example: Life threw me a curveball when I lost my job. - Slam dunk – A sure success.
Example: This deal is a slam dunk for the company. - Hit a home run – Achieve great success.
Example: Their new product really hit a home run with customers. - Out of bounds – Beyond limits.
Example: That topic is out of bounds in this discussion.
- Neck and neck – Very close competition.
Example: The two runners were neck and neck till the finish line. - Ahead of the game – In a favorable position.
Example: With new technology, we’re ahead of the game. - Behind the eight ball – In a difficult situation.
Example: He’s behind the eight ball with so much debt. - On the ropes – In serious trouble.
Example: The company was on the ropes during the recession. - Heavy hitter – Powerful or influential person.
Example: The company hired some heavy hitters to boost sales. - Hit below the belt – Do something unfair or cruel.
Example: Criticizing her family was hitting below the belt. - Throw one’s weight around – Use power aggressively.
Example: He likes to throw his weight around in the office. - Go to bat for – Support or defend someone.
Example: She went to bat for her colleague during the meeting. - Keep in play – Maintain activity or momentum.
Example: We need to keep negotiations in play until we reach an agreement. - Win hands down – Win easily.
Example: She won the competition hands down.
- Throw a punch – Make an attack.
Example: He threw a punch during the heated argument. - Take it on the chin – Accept defeat without complaint.
Example: We lost, but we’ll take it on the chin and move on. - Saved by the bell – Rescued from difficulty at the last moment.
Example: The teacher walked in and I was saved by the bell. - Below the belt – Unfair or cruel.
Example: Insulting his appearance was below the belt. - Pull punches – Hold back criticism.
Example: The critic didn’t pull any punches in her review. - Knock out – Defeat completely.
Example: Their new product knocked out the competition. - Take a dive – Lose intentionally.
Example: Some accused the boxer of taking a dive. - Punch above your weight – Perform beyond expectations.
Example: The small company is punching above its weight. - Glass jaw – Vulnerability.
Example: His arrogance is his glass jaw. - Fight tooth and nail – Fight very hard.
Example: They fought tooth and nail to defend their rights.
- Front runner – Likely winner.
Example: She’s the front runner in the election. - Dark horse – Unexpected competitor.
Example: The dark horse candidate shocked everyone by winning. - Jump the gun – Act too soon.
Example: He jumped the gun by announcing the project early. - Hit the ground running – Start quickly and successfully.
Example: The new employee hit the ground running on her first day. - In the running – Being considered.
Example: She’s in the running for the promotion. - Fall at the first hurdle – Fail at the beginning.
Example: The plan fell at the first hurdle due to lack of funding. - Go the distance – Continue to the end.
Example: He’s determined to go the distance in this marathon. - Neck-and-neck race – Very close competition.
Example: It was a neck-and-neck race till the finish. - End of the line – No more options.
Example: When the funding stopped, it was the end of the line. - Second wind – Renewed energy.
Example: After resting, I got my second wind and finished the work.
- Play hardball – Be tough in negotiations.
Example: The company is playing hardball on pricing. - Monday morning quarterback – Criticize after the fact.
Example: It’s easy to be a Monday morning quarterback. - Skate on thin ice – Take a risk.
Example: He’s skating on thin ice with his boss. - Out for the count – Defeated or asleep.
Example: After the long day, I was out for the count. - All-rounder – Skilled in many areas.
Example: She’s an all-rounder at work. - No sweat – Easy task.
Example: Finishing the assignment was no sweat. - Race against time – Urgent effort.
Example: It’s a race against time to finish before the deadline. - On the ball – Alert and capable.
Example: We need someone who’s really on the ball. - In the same league – Comparable in ability.
Example: These two brands aren’t in the same league. - Foul play – Dishonest or criminal behavior.
Example: The police suspected foul play in the accident.
- Kick off – Begin something.
Example: The meeting will kick off at 10 a.m. - Play by the rules – Follow the rules.
Example: If you play by the rules, success will come naturally. - Blow the whistle – Report wrongdoing.
Example: She blew the whistle on the company’s illegal practices. - Time out – A break.
Example: Let’s take a time out before continuing the discussion. - Halftime show – A break in the middle.
Example: The halftime show kept the audience entertained. - Huddle up – Gather for discussion.
Example: Let’s huddle up and decide our next move. - False start – Mistaken beginning.
Example: The event had a false start due to technical issues. - Make the cut – Qualify.
Example: She made the cut for the national team. - Offside – Out of line or against the rules.
Example: His comments were completely offside. - Game changer – Significant innovation.
Example: The new smartphone is a real game changer. - On the sidelines – Not participating.
Example: He watched the game from the sidelines. - Over the line – Inappropriate or excessive.
Example: His rude comment was over the line. - Red card – Severe penalty.
Example: His behavior earned him a red card at work. - Long shot – Unlikely success.
Example: Winning the case was a long shot, but they tried. - Kick into gear – Start moving quickly.
Example: The team kicked into gear after halftime. - Fair play – Honesty and fairness.
Example: We believe in fair play in all negotiations. - Keep score – Track progress.
Example: The teacher kept score of class participation. - Run with it – Take control and advance.
Example: That’s a great idea—run with it! - Play ball – Cooperate.
Example: The suppliers finally agreed to play ball. - Take sides – Support one party.
Example: The referee refused to take sides. - Out of play – No longer valid or useful.
Example: That strategy is now out of play. - Take a shot – Attempt something.
Example: I’ll take a shot at solving this problem. - Hit the target – Succeed.
Example: The campaign really hit the target with young people. - Miss the mark – Fail to succeed.
Example: His argument missed the mark completely. - Fast break – Quick action.
Example: The team scored on a fast break. - Final whistle – The end.
Example: We worked hard until the final whistle. - Warm up – Prepare.
Example: She warmed up before the race. - Cool down – Relax after effort.
Example: The athletes cooled down after training. - Blow away the competition – Win decisively.
Example: Their new product blew away the competition. - Team player – Cooperative person.
Example: He’s a true team player who supports everyone. - Practice makes perfect – Repetition leads to skill.
Example: Keep practicing—practice makes perfect. - Keep in shape – Stay healthy.
Example: He exercises daily to keep in shape. - Jump ball – Uncertain outcome.
Example: The election is a jump ball at this point. - Level up – Improve performance.
Example: She leveled up her skills with more training. - Go for gold – Aim for the best.
Example: The athlete is going for gold at the Olympics. - In the zone – Performing at peak.
Example: She was in the zone during her presentation. - Play defense – Protect against risk.
Example: We need to play defense and secure our assets. - Take the field – Begin competing.
Example: The players took the field amid loud cheers. - The ball is in your court – It’s your decision.
Example: I’ve done my part—the ball is in your court. - Finish line – The end goal.
Example: We’re almost at the finish line of this project.