Idioms From Sports and Games
Discover how sports and game idioms describe everyday mistakes, fair chances, tough negotiations, and more.
Preview
Questions with solutions-
1. Scegli la risposta corretta.
What does "dropped the ball" mean here?
“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.
The speaker knew what to do but did not do it.
Show solution
- I failed to take care of my responsibility.
"Drop the ball" describes a mistake or failure to follow through, especially when others depend on you.
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2. Scegli la risposta corretta.
How should the customer understand "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
The detailed quote is not ready yet.
Show solution
- An approximate estimate of the cost
A "ballpark figure" helps with early planning, but it is not a firm price or promise.
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3. Completa lo spazio vuoto.
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
Think of the broad area where a team sport takes place.
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.
A "level playing field" means fair conditions for everyone, not a guarantee that everyone will succeed.
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4. Completa lo spazio vuoto.
The planning is finished. Let's get the ball ___ by sending the invitations today.
- bouncing
- rolling
- spinning
- flying
Picture a ball moving forward along the ground.
Show solution
The planning is finished. Let's get the ball rolling by sending the invitations today.
"Get the ball rolling" often introduces the first practical step in a project or activity.
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5. Scegli la risposta corretta.
What did Elena do for 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 spoke to the manager on Marcus's behalf.
Show solution
- She defended him.
"Go to bat for someone" means actively supporting them, especially when they face criticism or difficulty.
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6. Completa lo spazio vuoto.
After repeated failures, the team decided to throw in the ___ and abandon the project.
- towel
- glove
- bat
- ball
In boxing, this item can signal that a fighter should stop.
Show solution
After repeated failures, the team decided to throw in the towel and abandon the project.
"Throw in the towel" comes from boxing and means admitting defeat or giving up.
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7. Scegli la risposta corretta.
What does the final sentence tell the applicant?
“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.
The employer has completed its part of the exchange.
Show solution
- The applicant needs to decide what to do next.
"The ball is in your court" shifts responsibility for the next move to the other person.
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8. Scegli la risposta corretta.
What is the manager warning against?
“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
Enthusiasm is not the same as a signed agreement.
Show solution
- Acting before the deal is confirmed
"Jump the gun" means acting too early. It refers to starting a race before the starting signal.
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9. Scegli la risposta corretta.
What is Maya complaining about?
“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.
The team achieved what was originally required.
Show solution
- The conditions for earning the bonus keep changing.
"Move the goalposts" usually expresses criticism: changing the requirements makes success harder after someone has already made an effort.
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10. Scegli la risposta corretta.
How is the new supplier being described?
“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
The speaker sees both a strong possibility and a serious risk.
Show solution
- A competitor whose impact is hard to predict
Outside games and sports, a "wild card" is an unpredictable person or factor. It is not necessarily good or bad.
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11. Scegli la risposta corretta.
What does "playing hardball" suggest about the seller's approach?
“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.
Notice the firm refusal and the threat to end discussions.
Show solution
- They are using tough tactics to get their way.
"Play hardball" describes an aggressive, uncompromising approach, especially in negotiations. It does not necessarily mean breaking rules.
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12. Scegli la risposta corretta.
What does the review imply about the cameras?
“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.
The reviewer compares quality without saying the cheaper camera is useless.
Show solution
- The budget phone's camera is far below the premium camera's standard.
"Not in the same league" signals a large difference in quality or ability. Here, the comparison concerns the cameras, not every feature of the phones.