B[edit]

block and tackle

American football, rugby, etc: The basics, to get back to the basics. When
referenced, it's usually speaking to changing the behavior or going back to an
earlier time when things were functional or building basic skills to ensure the
success of various endeavors. In some ball games (for example American or
Canadian football, rugby, etc.), blocking and tackling are basic components of
the game. In order to be successful in the game, a player must understand when
to block and when to tackle.

C[edit]
carry the ball
American football, rugby, etc: To take charge, to assume responsibility. In some
ball games (for example American or Canadian football, rugby, etc.), the ball can
be carried to advance toward a goal. ADHI dates figurative usage the "early
1900s".[1] Compare drop the ball, below.
come out fighting or come out swinging
Boxing: To go immediately on the offensive, often pre-emptively; or, to strongly
defend oneself or one's beliefs. CIDI,[2][3]

D[edit]
down and out
Boxing: Lacking money or prospects; penniless or destitute. A boxer who is
"down" has been knocked to the canvas, and one who is also "out" is
unconscious or unable to resume the fight; thus a down-and-out boxer is utterly
defeated. AHDI states the term "probably" came from boxing, circa 1900; [4] OED
references boxing rather obliquely, and cites first figurative usage to 1889. [5]
down for the count; out for the count
Boxing: To be defeated. Refers to a boxer being knocked down; the referee will
count off ten seconds, the time allotted for the boxer to regain his feet or lose the
fight. Down for the count may imply a temporary setback, as down does not
necessarily imply out. AHDI dates "down for the count" to the 1920s;[6] OED
cites out for the count to 1930.[7] Comparetake the full count, below.
down to the wire
Horse racing: To the very end or last minute. From the length of wire stretched
across a racetrack at the finish line. AHDI dates its figurative use to about 1900. [8]
drop the ball
Baseball, rugby, American football, etc: To make an error, to miss an opportunity.
In games where a ball may be legally caught (e.g. baseball) or carried (e.g.
American football), a player (or the player's team) may be penalized for dropping
the ball; for example, an American football player who drops a ball ("fumbles")
risks having the ball recovered and carried by the other team; in baseball, a
player who drops a thrown or batted ball may be charged with an error. AHDI
dates the figurative usage to about the 1950s.[9] Compare carry the ball, above.
 drop the gloves
Ice hockey: To engage in a fight, whether figurative or literal. Refers to the act of
hockey players throwing off their gloves to punch with bare knuckles.

E[edit]
end run
American football: An evasive tactic; an attempt to avoid or bypass opposition. In
America football, it is an attempt to run around one's own end (of a line of
players) and towards the goal. OED dates football usage to 1902, figurative to
1952.[10]

F[edit]
full-court press
Basketball: An all-out effort to exert pressure. In basketball, full-court press is an
aggressive defence strategy in which the defenders put pressure on the
opposing team over the entire court, trying to disrupt their dribbling and passing.
AHDI cites the usage to the "late 1900s".[11] OED cites first basketball usage in
1976, and figurative usage in 1978, but the cite itself states that the term was
used figuratively in "the late sixties".[12]

G[edit]
gambit
Boxing: A strategem or tactic; chess: an opening system that involves a pawn
sacrifice to gain the initiative right from the start. The term arrives in modern
parlance through chess, but originates in wrestling from the Italian gambetto,
tripping the opponent. OED cites the chess usage to 1656, the figurative usage
to 1855.
get the ball rolling
Some ball games: To start an endeavour. Some ball games are started by rolling
a ball into play. AHDI dates to the late 18th century.[13] See also keep the ball
rolling, below.
glass jaw
Boxing: Vulnerability, especially of a public figure, to destructive criticism. In
boxing, a fighter who is especially vulnerable or susceptible to a knockout is said
to have a glass jaw.[14]
the gloves are off
Boxing, Hockey: See take off the gloves, below.
go the distance
Boxing: Carry through a course of action to completion. A boxer goes the
distance when he can fight through all the scheduled rounds. OED cites the
boxing idiom to 1934, but does not date its figurative usage.[15]
go to the mat
Wrestling: to engage in an argument or dispute, especially until one side is
victorious. In wrestling, it means to engage in a wrestling bout, the mat being the
surface on which the contest is fought. OED cites the wrestling usage to 1908,
the figurative to 1912;[16] however, AHDI states it has been used in its figurative
sense "since about 1900".[17]
move the goalposts
Football: to change the rules to make it difficult for others to achieve something.

H[edit]
hands down
Horse racing: With great ease; unconditionally; often (and originally) in the
phrase to win hands down, in which a jockey, certain of victory, drops his hands
relaxes his hold on the reins. The horse-racing phrase is first cited by OED in
1867, figurative usage in 1913.[18]
hail mary
Football: A long shot, a desperate last-ditch attempt
hat-trick
Cricket: A threefold feat in an endeavour. In cricket, a bowler who took three
wickets with three successive bowls was entitled to a new hat (or some other
prize) awarded by his club. OED cites to 1877, figurative to 1909. [19] Later used in
many other team sports.
have someone
in your
corner
Boxing: To have the support or help of someone. A boxer's ringside support staff
– second, cut man, etc. – are in his corner, and assist him between rounds.[20]
heavy
hitter
Boxing: An important or influential individual or organization. Refers to a boxer
who is able to hit hard; AHDI states it "was transferred to other enterprises in the
mid-1900s".[21]
heavyw
eight
Boxing: A person of great influence or importance. In boxing, it is a weight
division of 175 pounds (79.5 kg) or higher, or a boxer fighting in this division.
OED dates the boxing usage to 1877 (it was previously used in horse-racing), but
does not cite or date the figurative usage.[22] See also lightweight, below.
hit
belo
w
the
belt
Boxing: To act unfairly or unscrupulously, in disregard of the rules. To hit an
opponent below the belt is an illegal move in boxing. WNM dates this use to
"1941–46";[23] OED dates to 1891.[24] See low blow, below.
h
o
m
 e
s
t
r
e
t
c
h

o
r
h
o
m
e
s
t
r
e
t
c
h

Horse racing: The final phase of an endeavour or project. On a racecourse,

the home stretch is the final part of track on which the race finishes. OED dates
racing usage to 1841, but does not date or cite a figurative usage;[25] M-W
defines a figurative use but does not date it.[26]
h
o
s
p
i
t
a
l

p
a
s
s

Rugby : Passing the ball to a player who is already marked and sure to be
tackled - implying being put into hospital by the severity of the inevitable tackle.
h
u
r
 l
e
r

o
n

t
h
e

d
i
t
c
h

Hurling: A non-participant who criticises from outside. Derives from a spectator

(typically a man too old to play any more) criticising the players whilst observing
from an earth bank (a ditch; most hurling clubs do not have stands so the crowd
stand at the pitchside).[27][28]

I
[
e
d
i
t
]
i
n
-
f
i
g
h
t
i
n
g
,

i
n
f
i
 g
h
t
i
n
g

Boxing: Close-quarter fighting. Also, conflict between members of the same

organization, often concealed from outsiders. Infighting in boxing is fighting in
close quarters; when the fighters are extremely close, it may sometimes be
difficult for spectators (or even the referee) to see each blow. OED dates the
boxing usage to 1812, and the first non-boxing meaning to 1928, and the first
non-physical meaning to 1960.[29] OED does not refer to the second meaning,
which is the one stated (but undatd) by AHD and WordNet.[30]

K
[
e
d
i
t
]
k
a
y
o
,

K
.
O
.

Boxing: To put out of commission. From the boxing phrase "knockout" (knock
unconscious), abbreviated "K.O." and pronounced and often written as "kayo".
OED dates "K.O." to 1922, figurative use to 1923;[31] "kayo" to 1923, figurative
sense 1939.[32] See knockout, below.
Ball games: To remain alert. In most games involving balls, it is important for
players to keep track of the ball. AHDI dates to circa 1900.[33]

Some ball games: To keep a conversation or endeavour from flagging. In some

games, the ball must be kept moving or play stops. AHDI dates to the late 18th
century;[13] See also get the ball rolling, above.
The mouth or face. Although the etymology is obvious – that which kisses – it
apparently first appeared as boxing slang in 1860 (OED).[34]

Cricket To surprise or shock (someone).[35]

Boxing: In boxing a "knockout" is scored when one boxer "knocks out" another
boxer, either by striking him unconscious, or knocking him to the canvas such
that he cannot rise within a count of ten (a "technical knockout"). AHD derives the
figurative term from the boxing in the "early 20th century";[36] OED does
not.[37] Both seem to suggest, however, that the verb phrase "knock out" or
"knock someone out" predates boxing.

Boxing: To speak without caution, or to leave oneself unprotected. Refers to a

boxer leaving his chin, a vulnerable point, unprotected. AHDI dates this usage to
the "mid-1900s";[38] OED cites Erle Stanley Gardner in 1949.[39]
Boxing: (A person or thing) of little importance, consequence, intelligence or
ability. In boxing, it is a weight division of boxers weighing no more than 135
pounds or 60.7 kg, or a boxer who fights in that division. OED cites boxing usage
to 1823, figurative usage to 1885.[40]

Boxing: An unscrupulous or unfair attack, action, or insult. Refers to an illegal

blow aimed at the area below another boxer's waist or belt. AHDI cites this usage
to about 1950.[41] See hit below the belt, above.
American football: A person who criticizes or passes judgment with the benefit of
hindsight. Monday morning refers to the games played or broadcast on Sunday,
with criticisms leveled by commentators the following week. See alsohindsight
bias and quarterback, below. OED cites football usage to 1932.[42]

Wrestling: With all restrictions relaxed. The rules of wrestling bar or proscribe
certain holds or grips on one's opponent. OED cites figurative usage to
1942,[43] while AHDI indicates its wrestling origins.[44]
see win by a nose, below.

Boxing: On the verge of defeat. Refers to a boxer who has been knocked against
the ropes that enclose the boxing ring and kept there by the blows of his
opponent. OED cites the boxing usage to 1958, figurative use to 1970. [45]
Boxing An attack consisting of two punches in rapid succession with alternate
hands. OED cites boxing usage to 1811, figurative usage to 1948. The
phrase the old one-two is cited in 1960, but quotes it from "a more vulgarly robust
age".[46]

See down for the count, above.

Baseball: To be wildly successful, to exceed expectations.
Golf: Typical; what is expected. Derived from the literal meaning of par for the
course in golf.[47]

Baseball: To cooperate (with) or act fairly (with). Derives from a baseball umpire's
call to "Play ball!" to start a game. AHDI dates the term to the late 19th
century;[48] OED dates the figurative usage to 1903.[49]
Boxing: To use less force than one is capable of; to be gentle or lenient. In
boxing, a boxer who holds back from using all his strength is said to pull his
punches. Often used in a negative sense, in the phrase "pull no punches". The
boxing term dates to 1934, the figurative to 1937 (OED).[50]

Boxing: dazed, bewildered, or confused; or behaving in such a manner. In

boxing, it refers to Dementia pugilistica, a neurological disorder in boxers
triggered by repeated dazing blows or punches to the head over an extended
period of time; symptoms include dementia, inappropriate behaviour, slurring of
speech, etc., which resemble symptoms of alcoholic intoxication (hence punch-
drunk). Figuratively, it refers to a state of dazedness or confusion resulting from
fatigue, overwork, burnout, continuous exposure to unpleasant situations, or
perhaps even emotional upheaval, as in suffering repeated figurative blows to
one's ego, emotional well-being, etc. OED dates the boxing usage to 1918, the
figurative to 1934.[51] See punchy, slap-happy, below..
Boxing: See punch-drunk, above; also, in a state of nervous tension, fatigued.
OED cites as synonym for "punch-drunk" to 1937, alternate meaning to
1943.[52] See punch-drunk, above, slap-happy, below.

American Football: Complete the activity or project, finish to job. Value of work
often has little value until its completion. In American football, a team's drive to
move the football down the field doesn't count until the ball crosses the goal line.
Soccer: One who directs or leads; a mastermind; also used as a verb, to
quarterback. It is also used as a term for a supporter or critic of a soccer team or
game, and by extension, an uninvolved observer who criticizes or second-
guesses; see Monday morning quarterback, above. In soccer, the quarterback,
also referred to as a midfielder, is the player on the field responsible for
coordinating and directing play, and the one to whom the ball is snapped at the
beginning of each play. OED cites figurative use of "leader" to 1961;[42] it dates
the verb usage to 1952, a cite which in itself cites the term to 1945. [53]

Horse racing: An impostor, especially one who misrepresents his or her identity
or ability in order to gain an advantage in a competition. In horse racing, when a
fast horse was substituted for a slower one that it resembled (a "ring-in"), the
term now applies to any athlete entered in a team competition under false
pretenses in order to gain a competitive advantage by strengthening the
team.[54][55]
Boxing: A person who follows a topic or situation closely. In boxing, the ringside
judges who score a boxing match sit at the ringside table (see below), and thus
have an excellent view of the proceedings. OED cites this use to 1976. [56]

Boxing: A place providing a good view of something. In boxing, a ringside seat is

immediately adjacent to the ring in which the boxers fight, as is the ringside table,
at which the ringside judges (see above) sit. OED cites ringside seat to
1934, ringside table to 1929.[56]
Boxing: To take adversity in stride; to adapt to difficult circumstances. A boxer
who "rolls with the punches" moves his body away from the force of a blow so as
to lessen their impact. OED cites the boxing term to 1941, the figurative to
1956.[57]

Boxing: A single phase of an endeavour or contest: "The defence attorney

started round two by filing a writ of habeas corpus." Also, an encounter, often
confrontational, as in the phrase go a few rounds or go a couple of rounds: "I
went a couple of rounds with the ex-wife's lawyer." A round in boxing is one of a
set number of small contests (usually three minutes) that make up the entire
match. OED dates the boxing term to 1812, extends it to battling animals in 1846,
then to a figurative sense in 1937.[58]
American football: To handle problems for another person or to clear the way for
another. In American football, a player who runs interference interferes or
obstructs opponents to let the ball carrier advance. AHDI dates the usage to the
mid-20th century.[59]

Boxing: to be saved from misfortune or unpleasantness by a timely interruption.

Alludes to a boxer who is knocked to the canvas, and must regain his feet before
a count of ten or lose the contest; if the bell signalling the end of the round is
rung before the count is finished, the fighter now has until the start of the next
round to recover and resume fighting. ADHI dates this to the "mid-
1900s";[60] OED cites first boxing use in 1932, figurative use in 1959.[61]
Sports: To remove from participation. A player who it is injured, benched, etc. is
removed from play and forced to sit onor observe from the sidelines. The
sidelines themselves are the lines on the side of the playing field which define the
playing area from that of spectators, non-playing team members, etc. OED
defines sidelines in terms of "spec[ifically] Football and other sports", figurative
use from 1934.[62] See also bench.
Basketball: A forceful, dramatic move, especially against someone. In basketball,
it is a forceful shot in which the player jumps to the basket and slams the ball in.
OED only cites the basketball definition, and that to 1976;[63] AHDI cites a
figurative usage from "about 1980 on".[64] Figurative usage commonly includes
the sense of "can't miss", a sure thing[65]

Boxing: Synonym for punch-drunk, above; also, dizzy with happiness; carefree,
casual, thoughtless, irresponsible. The "punch-drunk" meaning OED cites to
1936; the "dizzy" meaning appears two years later. The "carefree…etc"
connotation appears in 1937;[66] it appears the evolution of the idiomatic meaning
was influenced by the element "happy" over that of "slap".
Boxing: A person with whom one routinely argues or enjoys arguing. Refers to a
boxer who is hired to practise with another for training purposes.[67] Other
phrases such as "sparring match" (for a verbal argument), and even the verb "to
spar" (to bandy words), may actually come from cockfighting.[68]

Boxing: To assume a fighting stance or attitude. In boxing, the term derives from
the square shape of the ring, and the stance fighters assume immediately before
the fight commences. AHD derives the figurative use from boxing in a note at the
entry knockout.[36] OED does not specifically refer to boxing, but cites a physical
fighting usage to 1838 and a figurative in 1873.[69]

Cricket: a metaphor used to describe a difficult circumstance. It originated as a

term to describe difficult playing conditions, caused by a damp and soft pitch.
Cricket: to be out due to the wicket-keeper disrupting the stumps with the
batsman being out of their ground. Batsmen who are out stumped do not often
realise what has happened until they are asked to walk away from the pitch.

Boxing: An unexpected blow. In boxing, a sucker punch is one delivered

unexpectedly. OED dates boxing term to 1947, but does not cite first figurative
usage.

Boxing: A destructive blow to an opponent as in "knocked him into next Sunday".

In boxing, a Sunday punch is a knockout blow. WordNet refers to it specifically in
terms of boxing.[70] OED cites a meaning as a knockout punch to 1929, figurative
use to 1944, but does not ascribe it to the sport of boxing directly.
Boxing: To pretend or feign, with intent to deceive. Refers to boxers who would
pretend to be knocked out by a light or even non-existent punch, thus
intentionally losing the fight; this was one method of losing a "fixed" fight (one
with an unlawfully prearranged outcome). OED gives the boxing reference as
1952, the non-boxing in 1982.[71] Also in football

Boxing: To suffer misfortune or defeat. It alludes to taking a physical blow on the

chin; AHDI dates this usage to the "first half of [the] 1900s";[72] OED, however,
qualifies this definition, adding "courageously", and citing its first use to 1928. [73]
Boxing, ice hockey: To attack earnestly, without mercy. Boxing gloves are worn
for protection of the boxer's hands and to lessen the impact of the punches; bare-
knuckle boxing is much more savage and dangerous. Used also in ice hockey,
as two (or more) players signal their intention to fight by dropping their gloves.
Often used as in the gloves are off, meaning the fight or dispute has escalated
(CIDI [74]). This phrase may derive from earlier forms; the boxing sense OED
cites to 1922, the figurative to 1928.[75]

Boxing: To be defeated. Refers to a boxer being knocked down, the referee

counting off ten seconds, the time allotted for the boxer to regain his feet or lose
the fight. A boxer who takes the full count accepts defeat. OED cites this usage
in 1902.[7] Compare down for the count, above

Boxing: To surrender, admit defeat. Originally throw up the sponge or chuck up

the sponge; OED cites "from the practice of throwing up the sponge used to
cleanse the combatants' faces, at a prize~fight, as a signal that the ‘mill’ is
concluded." (1860) [76] The phrase throw in the towel in a non-boxing sense first
dates to 1916 in a book by C. J. Dennis.[76]
Boxing: To signify one's candidacy for (political) office or election; to enter a
contest. In early days of boxing, one signified a challenge by throwing one's hat
into the boxing ring. AHDI cites the boxing use to 1900;[77] OED cites the
figurative to 1928.[78]

Horse racing: At the very last moment; in the nick of time; barely within some
accepted parameters or limits. "The report was handed in just under the wire."
Or, "At five-foot-five, he was under the wire for the height requirement for
enlistment." From the practice of stretching a wire over the finish line at a
racetrack. AHDI dates to the first half of the 20th century;[79] OED dates the
horse-racing term to 1889 and the figurative sense to 1929.[80]
Horse racing: To succeed by a very narrow margin. "Our bid for the construction
contract won by a nose." In horse racing, it describes a win so close that only the
nose of the winning horse came in ahead of the other. AHDI dates the sports
usage to about 1900, the figurative to sometime after 1950.[81] OED, however,
cites a literal usage in 1851, but does not cite a figurative usage until 1997, and
that in the phrase "lost by a nose."[82]

Baseball: A person's area of expertise, or where they are most comfortable. In

baseball, the part of a player's swinging range in which they can best make
contact with the ball.
Boxing: To exercise or practice, especially in terms of physical training; also, the
act of working out. Work out was a term for boxing for practice as opposed to a
set contest. OED gives the earliest boxing reference as 1927, non-boxing as
1929.[83]