Sports-Related Idioms & Expressions in English | Talking about the Olympics, Championships and More

Summary

In this Confident English lesson, Annemarie teaches 19 essential sports-related phrases and expressions that will help viewers confidently discuss sports events in English. The lesson covers phrases used when a team is winning, when there’s a turn of events, when feeling the disappointment of loss, during nail-biting moments, and when describing athletes or teams. From expressions like 'to have the upper hand' and 'to take the lead' to 'Hail Mary' and 'hands down,' viewers will learn how to communicate their opinions and reactions to sports events like a pro. The lesson encourages interaction, asking viewers to share their favorite phrases and use them in real-life examples.

Takeaways

• 😀 Learn 19 sports-related vocabulary and phrases to help you confidently talk about sports events.
• 😀 Master expressions for different scenarios: when your team is winning, when there's a turn of events, when your team is losing, when it's a nail-biter, and when describing a team or athlete.
• 😀 Understand how phrases like 'to have the upper hand' and 'to take the lead' describe when a team is in control or advancing.
• 😀 Familiarize yourself with idioms like 'to land it' and 'to nail it', which describe successfully completing difficult moves or actions.
• 😀 Use 'to knock it out of the park' to express admiration for an outstanding performance.
• 😀 Learn how to express unexpected turns in events with phrases like 'to throw a curveball', 'out of left field', and 'to be blindsided'.
• 😀 Know what to say when your team is losing with expressions like 'to jump the gun', 'to fall behind', and 'Hail Mary'.
• 😀 Master high-tension phrases like 'a nail-biter', 'down to the wire', and 'neck and neck' to describe exciting moments in sports.
• 😀 Understand the meaning of 'underdog' to refer to a team or athlete that is expected to lose but may win.
• 😀 Learn to describe a dominant team with 'the dream team' and highlight excellence with 'hands down'.

Q & A

What is the main goal of this Confident English lesson?

The main goal of this lesson is to help learners understand and confidently use 19 sports-related phrases and vocabulary that are commonly heard during major sporting events, such as the Olympic Games or World Cup.

Why do people who are usually not interested in sports get excited during events like the Olympics or World Cup?

People often get excited during events like the Olympics or World Cup because these major sporting events create a sense of excitement and national pride, making even those who are not regular sports fans want to engage in the conversations and celebrations around them.

What does the phrase 'to have the upper hand' mean in a sports context?

'To have the upper hand' means to have the winning advantage or to have control over the situation. In sports, it refers to a team or athlete being in a stronger or more dominant position.

What is the meaning of 'to take the lead' in a sporting event?

'To take the lead' means to move into first place, or to advance ahead of others in a race or competition.

How is the phrase 'to land it' used in sports?

'To land it' refers to successfully completing a difficult move or trick, often used in gymnastics or figure skating when an athlete performs a challenging skill successfully.

What does 'to knock it out of the park' mean?

'To knock it out of the park' means to perform exceptionally well, going beyond expectations in a performance or competition.

What does 'to throw a curve ball' mean in sports?

'To throw a curve ball' means to present a surprise or unexpected twist, especially when things take an unpredictable turn in the course of a game.

What does the expression 'out of left field' mean?

'Out of left field' is used when something unexpected or surprising happens, typically something that wasn't anticipated and takes people by surprise.

How would you describe a situation where a team or player is losing, but still has a slim chance of winning?

In such a situation, you might use the expression 'to attempt a Hail Mary,' which refers to making a desperate or highly unlikely attempt to achieve a victory, often with very low chances of success.

What does 'a nail biter' refer to in the context of a sports game?

'A nail biter' refers to a situation in a game that is very tense and stressful, where the outcome is uncertain and the viewers are anxious, often due to close competition in the final moments.

What does the term 'the underdog' mean in sports?

The 'underdog' refers to a team or player that is considered less likely to win or is underrated, but who may achieve victory despite expectations.

What does 'hands down' mean when describing a team or athlete?

'Hands down' means without a doubt, used to emphasize that something or someone is the best or most certain in their field, often used to describe an outstanding athlete or team.