Sports & Games Idioms — Idioms
America's games gave English its business language — learn the playbook. · 10 idioms · Level B2
the ball is in your court
Meaning: it is your turn to act or decide
neutral negotiations, decisions
Example: I've sent the offer — the ball is in your court now.
A I have sent my offer — the ball is in your court.
B I will decide by Friday, I promise.
⚠️ Common mistake: The ball is in YOUR court (possessive moves with the person who must act).
hit it out of the park
Meaning: to do something extremely well
informal praise at work and school
Example: She hit it out of the park with her presentation.
A You hit it out of the park today.
B The client signed on the spot!
⚠️ Common mistake: Hit it OUT of the park — a home run metaphor: total success, crowd cheering.
a level playing field
Meaning: a fair situation where everyone has the same chances
neutral fairness, business, politics
Example: Small shops need a level playing field to compete with giants.
A The new rules create a level playing field.
B Finally, startups can breathe.
⚠️ Common mistake: A level playing field — fairness as a flat field: no team plays uphill.
down to the wire
Meaning: until the very last moment
neutral news, competitions, deadlines
Example: The election went down to the wire.
A The deal went down to the wire.
B Signed at 11:58 p.m.!
⚠️ Common mistake: Down to THE wire — from horse racing: the finish-line wire. Last-second drama.
neck and neck
Meaning: exactly equal in a race or competition
neutral races, polls, competitions
Example: The two runners were neck and neck at the finish.
A The vote is neck and neck.
B Every single ballot counts tonight.
⚠️ Common mistake: Neck and neck — two horses side by side. For elections, polls, any close contest.
throw in the towel
Meaning: to give up and accept defeat
informal giving up, business failures
Example: After five failed attempts, he threw in the towel.
A Don't throw in the towel yet.
B One more round. Okay.
⚠️ Common mistake: Throw in THE towel — from boxing: the trainer throws the towel to stop the fight.
below the belt
Meaning: unfair and cruel (a remark or action)
neutral arguments, fairness
Example: Making fun of his accent was below the belt.
A That comment was below the belt.
B Apologize — that crossed a line.
⚠️ Common mistake: Below the belt = an UNFAIR hit (boxing forbids it). About words and tricks, not clothing.
a shot in the dark
Meaning: a guess with little chance of success
informal guesses, attempts
Example: Asking the director directly was a shot in the dark — but it worked.
A It was a shot in the dark.
B And it worked — she replied in an hour!
⚠️ Common mistake: A shot in THE dark — you can't see the target. Sometimes it still hits!
in the long run
Meaning: over a long period of time; in the end
neutral advice, plans, essays
Example: In the long run, quality beats speed.
A Renting feels cheaper now.
B In the long run, buying wins.
⚠️ Common mistake: In the long run vs in the short run — a matched pair for essays and decisions.
a front runner
Meaning: the person or team most likely to win
neutral elections, jobs, races
Example: She is the front runner for the manager job.
A He's the front runner for mayor.
B Polls say so — but races change.
⚠️ Common mistake: A front runner (two words or hyphenated) — the leader BEFORE the finish, not the winner yet.
Practice
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