throw in the towel
To give up and admit defeat.
Example: After three failed attempts, he finally threw in the towel.
B113 words · Intermediate
Sport Idioms vocabulary — B1
Sport idioms for describing effort, timing and competition, with phrases like throw in the towel, jump the gun and have the upper hand.
13 questions
Words in this set
13a whole new ball game
A completely different situation from what came before, requiring a fresh approach.
Example:
With the new manager, the office is a whole new ball game.
jump the gun
To act too soon, before the proper or agreed time.
Example:
He jumped the gun and told everyone before the announcement.
down to the wire
Remaining undecided until the very last possible moment.
Example:
The election results came down to the wire.
keep your eye on the ball
To stay focused and alert on the most important task or goal.
Example:
With so many distractions, it's hard to keep your eye on the ball.
front runner
The person or option most likely to succeed, currently ahead of the others.
Example:
She's the front runner for the manager position.
neck and neck
Very close in a competition, with neither side clearly ahead.
Example:
The two candidates were neck and neck in the polls.
against all odds
Despite great difficulty, when success seemed very unlikely.
Example:
Against all odds, the small team won the championship.
call it a draw
To agree to end a competition or argument evenly, with no clear winner.
Example:
Neither of us could win, so we called it a draw.
have the upper hand
To be in a stronger or more advantageous position than someone else.
Example:
After the goal, our team had the upper hand.
a close call
A situation where something bad almost happened.
Example:
That was a close call and neither driver stopped.
give it your best shot
To try as hard as you possibly can.
Example:
Just give it your best shot and stop worrying about the result.
out of bounds
Not allowed to be entered or discussed.
Example:
The top floor is out of bounds to everyone but the crew.
