jockeying for position
Maneuvering carefully to gain an advantage over competitors.
Example: Several executives were quietly jockeying for position before the merger.
C220 words · Proficient
Sport Idioms vocabulary — C2
Sport idioms for advanced description of effort and conflict, with phrases like punch above your weight, drop the ball and hit it out of the park.
20 questions
Words in this set
20a photo finish
An extremely close result, decided by only the smallest possible margin.
Example:
The two sprinters crossed the line in a photo finish.
batting a thousand
Succeeding every single time, with a perfect record so far.
Example:
With five wins in a row, the sales team is batting a thousand this quarter.
a Monday morning quarterback
Someone who criticizes decisions after the fact, claiming they would have done better.
Example:
It's easy to be a Monday morning quarterback once the game is over.
out in left field
Strange, unexpected or completely mistaken.
Example:
His theory about the missing files was out in left field.
know the score
To understand the true, sometimes difficult, facts of a situation.
Example:
Don't worry, I already know the score about the layoffs.
hit it out of the park
To do something extremely successfully, far beyond what was expected.
Example:
Her presentation really hit it out of the park.
punch above your weight
To perform better or achieve more than would normally be expected given your size, resources or ability.
Example:
This small company really punches above its weight.
throw your hat in the ring
To officially announce that you will take part in a competition, especially an election.
Example:
She finally threw her hat in the ring for mayor.
drop the ball
To fail to do something you were responsible for, making a careless mistake.
Example:
The team dropped the ball on the client's order.
the final furlong
The last stage of a long effort.
Example:
We are in the final furlong and everybody is exhausted.
a consolation prize
Something given to someone who has not won.
Example:
The deputy chairmanship was a consolation prize and read as one.
a game of two halves
A situation that changes completely partway through.
Example:
The year was a game of two halves and only one of them good.
the rub of the green
Good luck in a competition.
Example:
They had the rub of the green in the first round and none after.
on a sticky wicket
In a difficult position where you must be careful.
Example:
He was on a sticky wicket the moment the figures came out.
hit for six
Completely shocked or defeated.
Example:
The announcement left the whole office hit for six.
play a straight bat
To answer carefully and give nothing away.
Example:
He chose to play a straight bat for the whole interview.
bowled over
Very impressed or surprised.
Example:
Everyone was bowled over by how well it read.
thrown for a loop
Made very confused by something unexpected.
Example:
The question thrown for a loop the entire panel.
the finishing line
The point at which something is finally complete.
Example:
We can see the finishing line and the funding runs out first.
