COMPETITION

183

Idiom / Saying

Explanation

A ballpark figure (actually a baseball

Rough estimate.

term, but widely used in business in

the UK too)

For example:-

I don't need an exact quotation, just

give me a ballpark figure.

To get the ball rolling.

To get something started.

For example:-

If we don't get the ball rolling on this

project soon we won't be able to

deliver on time.

To keep your eye on the ball.

To remain alert.

For example:-

You'll need to keep your eye on the

ball on this project, the technology

available is moving so quickly.

To be on the ball

To be quick to understand and react

For example:-

to things.

You need to be on the ball with this

customer, he's very clever.

To play ball

To agree to do what someone asks

For example:-

you to do, in the way someone else

wants you to do it.

We'll all achieve much more if we just

play ball.

A whole new ball game

A completely different situation, often

For example:-

one which is difficult or which you

know little about.

I'd done a lot of kayaking in the UK,

but the rivers in the French Alps were

a whole new ball game.

The ball's in someone's court

To have to do something before any

progress can be made in a situation.

For example:-

Well I gave them all the information I

could, and now the ball's in their

court.

A balls up.

A bad mistake or shoddy job.

For example:-

He forgot his visuals, so the

presentation was a complete balls up.

To be bowled over (cricket)

To astonish or overwhelm.

For example:-

Lit: To knock both of the bails off

the wicket

I went to see his latest exhibition, it

really bowled me over.

To beat (someone) to the punch

To make the first decisive move in a

(boxing)

situation.

For example:-

We have to get this new product out

before our rivals beat us to the

punch.

To get the boot

To be fired or let go from an

For example:-

organization.

They gave him the boot after he failed

in his last project.

It's not cricket

If someone's behaviour or actions are

For example:-

not cricket, they are not honourable

or moral.

It's not cricket to steal someone's

web site.

To give it your best shot

To put forth your best effort.

For example:-

Whether you pass or fail in the test at

least you'll know you gave it your

best shot.

To have get-up-and-go.

To have a high personal energy level.

For example:-

I can't play football any more. My get

up and go has got up and gone.

To go the distance (boxing)

To carry through a course of action

For example:-

to completion.

No matter what you say about him,

he really went the distance on his last

project. No one could have done

more.

To hit below the belt (boxing)

To act unfairly or unscrupulously.

For example:-

Lit: An illegal move in boxing

They hit the workers below the belt

when they closed the factory gates

without any warning.

The rub of the green.

To be lucky especially in a sport or

pastime played on a green surface.

For example:-

France had the rub of the green when

the referee didn't spot that handball.

To jockey yourself into position.

To put yourself into a good position

(Horseracing)

to win something.

For example:-

He got the promotion after jockeying

himself into position.

To kick something around.

To pass an idea from person to

For example:-

person.

Let's just kick a few ideas around and

Lit: Passing the ball.

see what we come up with.

To kick it into touch.

To cancel or quit something.

Lit: To gain ground or to defend your

For example:-

team.

Before we waste any more time on

this, I suggest we just kick it into

touch, it's just not going to work.

To kick off.

To start trouble or fight.

For example:-

Lit: Start the game.

We got out of the pub before it all

kicked off and the fists started flying.

Knock yourself out.

Used to give permission to someone

For example:-

to do something.

Me: Can I drive today?

Hubby: Sure, knock yourself out.

To let the side down

To fail when others are relying on

For example:-

you.

When Beckham missed that penalty

he really let the side down.