# Sport Idioms Upper Intermediate

https://hienglishquiz.com/vocabulary/idioms-expressions-b2-sport-and-game-idioms-vocab

- CEFR: B2 (Upper-intermediate)
- Theme: Idioms & Expressions
- Words: 16
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- Locked: no

Sport idioms for describing setbacks and competition in everyday language, with phrases like back to square one, raise the stakes and the underdog.

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## Word list

* **raise the stakes**: To increase what is at risk or what could be won or lost in a situation. — “Adding a deadline really **raised the stakes** for the whole team.”
* **a sporting chance**: A reasonable and fair opportunity to succeed. — “With more practice, she has **a sporting chance** of winning the race.”
* **hit below the belt**: To act unfairly, especially by making a cruel or overly personal remark. — “Bringing up his divorce in the debate was really **hitting below the belt**.”
* **on the ropes**: In serious trouble, close to complete defeat or collapse. — “The struggling business was clearly **on the ropes** by the end of the year.”
* **back to square one**: Returning to the very starting point after a failed attempt. — “The funding fell through, so we're **back to square one**.”
* **out of your league**: Beyond your ability or status, too advanced or impressive for you to reasonably compete with. — “He admitted the promotion felt **out of his league**.”
* **the underdog**: The competitor expected to lose, with fewer resources or less skill than the favourite. — “Everyone was cheering for **the underdog** in the final.”
* **false start**: An unsuccessful beginning that has to be stopped and attempted again. — “The project had a **false start** before the team finally found its footing.”
* **a home run**: A great success or achievement. — “The new advertising campaign was **a home run** for the company.”
* **come from behind**: To win or improve a situation after being in a losing or weaker position. — “The team **came from behind** to win in the final minutes.”
* **the gloves are off**: A dispute has become serious and unrestrained. — “After that letter **the gloves are off** on both sides.”
* **in the driving seat**: In control of a situation. — “One good quarter and they were **in the driving seat** again.”
* **a safe pair of hands**: Someone reliable who will not make mistakes. — “They wanted **a safe pair of hands** rather than a visionary.”
* **run rings around**: To be very much better than someone at something. — “She would **run rings around** anyone in that department.”
* **level pegging**: Equal in a competition. — “The two of them were **level pegging** until the final week.”
* **a dead heat**: A race that ends with two competitors exactly equal. — “It was **a dead heat** and the judges took four minutes to say so.”

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