# Sport Idioms Advanced

https://hienglishquiz.com/vocabulary/idioms-expressions-c1-sport-and-game-idioms-vocab

- CEFR: C1 (Advanced)
- Theme: Idioms & Expressions
- Words: 20
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Sport idioms for describing expectation and challenge, with phrases like par for the course, pass the baton and throw a curveball.

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## Word list

* **the whole nine yards**: Everything possible, done to the fullest extent. — “For their anniversary, he planned dinner, flowers, music — **the whole nine yards**.”
* **par for the course**: Typical and expected, nothing unusual given the circumstances. — “Delays like this are **par for the course** during the rainy season.”
* **a moving target**: A goal or situation that keeps changing and is hard to plan around. — “The client's requirements have been **a moving target** throughout the project.”
* **down for the count**: Defeated and temporarily unable to continue. — “After the third setback, the team seemed **down for the count**.”
* **throw a curveball**: To present someone with an unexpected and tricky difficulty. — “The interviewer **threw a curveball** with an unrelated question.”
* **a hail mary**: A desperate, long-shot attempt made as a very last resort. — “With seconds left, the coach called for **a Hail Mary** play.”
* **pass the baton**: To hand over a responsibility, task or leadership role to someone else. — “After thirty years, she **passed the baton** to the next director.”
* **a game changer**: Something that dramatically shifts the way a situation or activity happens. — “The new software was **a game changer** for the whole team.”
* **sudden death**: A way of deciding a winner immediately, used when a result is very close or tied, or more generally for a high-stakes final decision. — “The match went to **sudden death** after a tied score.”
* **raise your game**: To improve your performance, especially when facing a difficult challenge. — “She had to **raise her game** to beat the defending champion.”
* **on the back foot**: Forced to defend yourself rather than attack. — “One bad headline put them **on the back foot** for a month.”
* **an own goal**: An action that accidentally harms your own side. — “The press release was **an own goal** of impressive size.”
* **a clean sweep**: Winning everything available. — “They made **a clean sweep** of all four categories.”
* **a walkover**: A victory won with no real effort. — “With two withdrawals it became **a walkover**.”
* **a marathon not a sprint**: Something requiring sustained effort over a long time. — “Restoring that building is **a marathon not a sprint**.”
* **in pole position**: In the best position to win. — “Two good quarters put them **in pole position** for the contract.”
* **the home straight**: The final part of a long effort. — “We are on **the home straight** and nobody is celebrating yet.”
* **a knockout blow**: A decisive action that ends a contest. — “The third witness delivered **a knockout blow** to the whole case.”
* **run the gauntlet**: To go through a series of attacks or criticism. — “Anyone with a new idea has to **run the gauntlet** of that committee.”
* **a lap of honour**: A celebration after a victory. — “He took **a lap of honour** that lasted the whole of the summer.”

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