Expresiones idiomáticas de los deportes y los juegos
Descubre cómo las expresiones idiomáticas de los deportes y los juegos describen errores cotidianos, oportunidades equitativas, negociaciones difíciles y más.
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Questions with solutions-
1. Elige la respuesta correcta.
¿Qué significa "dropped the ball" aquí?
“I was supposed to book the meeting room, but I forgot. I really dropped the ball.”
- I deliberately refused to help.
- I gave the responsibility to someone else.
- I failed to take care of my responsibility.
- I misunderstood which room was needed.
La persona que habla sabía qué hacer, pero no lo hizo.
Show solution
- I failed to take care of my responsibility.
"Drop the ball" se refiere a cometer un error o no cumplir con lo que se debe hacer, especialmente cuando otras personas dependen de ti.
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2. Elige la respuesta correcta.
¿Cómo debe interpretar el cliente "a ballpark figure"?
“I can give you a ballpark figure for the repairs today. A detailed quote will take longer.”
- An approximate estimate of the cost
- The guaranteed maximum cost
- The lowest possible cost
- The final agreed cost
La cotización detallada aún no está lista.
Show solution
- An approximate estimate of the cost
Una "ballpark figure" ayuda con la planificación inicial, pero no es un precio definitivo ni una promesa.
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3. Completa el espacio en blanco.
To give small businesses the same chance as large ones, every bidder will receive the same information. This creates a level playing ___.
- court
- lane
- track
- field
Piensa en el espacio amplio donde se practica un deporte de equipo.
Show solution
To give small businesses the same chance as large ones, every bidder will receive the same information. This creates a level playing field.
"level playing field" significa condiciones justas para todos, no una garantía de que todos tendrán éxito.
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4. Completa el espacio en blanco.
The planning is finished. Let's get the ball ___ by sending the invitations today.
- bouncing
- rolling
- spinning
- flying
Imagina una pelota que avanza por el suelo.
Show solution
The planning is finished. Let's get the ball rolling by sending the invitations today.
"Get the ball rolling" suele introducir el primer paso práctico de un proyecto o una actividad.
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5. Elige la respuesta correcta.
¿Qué hizo Elena por Marcus?
“When Marcus was blamed unfairly, Elena went to bat for him. She explained to the manager that he had followed the instructions.”
- She took over his duties.
- She encouraged him to admit fault.
- She defended him.
- She challenged him to prove himself.
Elena habló con el gerente en nombre de Marcus.
Show solution
- She defended him.
"Go to bat for someone" significa apoyar activamente a alguien, especialmente cuando enfrenta críticas o dificultades.
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6. Completa el espacio en blanco.
After repeated failures, the team decided to throw in the ___ and abandon the project.
- towel
- glove
- bat
- ball
En el boxeo, este objeto puede indicar que un boxeador debe detenerse.
Show solution
After repeated failures, the team decided to throw in the towel and abandon the project.
"Throw in the towel" proviene del boxeo y significa admitir la derrota o rendirse.
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7. Elige la respuesta correcta.
¿Qué le dice la última oración al candidato?
“We've offered you the position and answered your questions. The ball is now in your court.”
- The employer needs to improve the offer.
- Both sides need to restart negotiations.
- The offer has been withdrawn.
- The applicant needs to decide what to do next.
El empleador ha cumplido con su parte del intercambio.
Show solution
- The applicant needs to decide what to do next.
"The ball is in your court" transfiere a la otra persona la responsabilidad de dar el siguiente paso.
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8. Elige la respuesta correcta.
¿Qué está advirtiendo el gerente que se debe evitar?
“The client sounds enthusiastic, but don't jump the gun and announce the deal. Nothing has been signed yet.”
- Waiting so long that the client loses interest
- Acting before the deal is confirmed
- Making the deal more expensive than planned
- Announcing the deal to the wrong audience
El entusiasmo no es lo mismo que un acuerdo firmado.
Show solution
- Acting before the deal is confirmed
"Jump the gun" significa actuar demasiado pronto. Se refiere a empezar una carrera antes de la señal de salida.
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9. Elige la respuesta correcta.
¿De qué se queja Maya?
“We met the sales target for our bonus. Then the manager raised the target and said we hadn't earned it yet. They're moving the goalposts,” said Maya.
- The team is taking too long to reach its target.
- The bonus is being shared among too many people.
- The conditions for earning the bonus keep changing.
- The manager has reduced the size of the bonus.
El equipo logró lo que se exigía originalmente.
Show solution
- The conditions for earning the bonus keep changing.
"Move the goalposts" suele expresar una crítica: cambiar los requisitos hace que sea más difícil alcanzar el éxito después de que alguien ya se ha esforzado.
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10. Elige la respuesta correcta.
¿Cómo se describe al nuevo proveedor?
“The established suppliers are predictable. The new firm is a wild card: its unusual approach could work brilliantly or fail completely.”
- A competitor whose impact is hard to predict
- A competitor expected to win easily
- A competitor excluded for breaking the rules
- A competitor certain to perform poorly
La persona que habla ve tanto una gran posibilidad como un riesgo serio.
Show solution
- A competitor whose impact is hard to predict
Fuera de los juegos y los deportes, un "wild card" es una persona o un factor impredecible. No es necesariamente bueno ni malo.
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11. Elige la respuesta correcta.
¿Qué sugiere "playing hardball" sobre la postura del vendedor?
“We asked for a small discount. They said the price was fixed and threatened to end the talks if we asked again. They're playing hardball.”
- They are pretending to reject an offer they have already accepted.
- They are making generous compromises to reach an agreement.
- They are delaying discussions until they have more information.
- They are using tough tactics to get their way.
Observa la negativa firme y la amenaza de poner fin a las conversaciones.
Show solution
- They are using tough tactics to get their way.
"Play hardball" describe una postura agresiva e inflexible, especialmente en las negociaciones. No significa necesariamente romper las reglas.
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12. Elige la respuesta correcta.
¿Qué da a entender la reseña sobre las cámaras?
“The budget phone works fine for basic calls, but its camera isn't in the same league as the premium model's.”
- The cameras perform equally well despite their different designs.
- The budget phone's camera is far below the premium camera's standard.
- The budget phone's camera cannot take usable photos.
- The cameras cannot be compared because they serve different purposes.
Quien escribe la reseña compara la calidad sin decir que la cámara más barata no sirve.
Show solution
- The budget phone's camera is far below the premium camera's standard.
"Not in the same league" indica una gran diferencia de calidad o capacidad. Aquí, la comparación se refiere a las cámaras, no a todas las características de los celulares.