Sports Idioms

Idioms inspired by sports are deeply embedded in everyday English. From business to casual conversation, these expressions help convey ideas with vivid imagery and cultural references. For English teachers, teaching sports idioms provides a rich opportunity to explore not just language, but also metaphor, pragmatics, and culture. Below are some of the most frequently used sports idioms in English. Which ones are new to you?

THROW IN THE TOWEL
DESISTIR

After trying to fix the car for hours, he threw in the towel.
Depois de tentar consertar o carro por horas, ele jogou a toalha.

Origin: It comes from boxing, where a coach literally throws a towel into the ring to signal that the fighter is surrendering.

DROP THE BALL
ERRAR / VACILAR

He really dropped the ball by forgetting the meeting.
Ela realmente vacilou ao esquecer da reunião.

Origin: Derived from American football or baseball, where dropping the ball means missing an opportunity to complete a play.

GET THE BALL ROLLING
INICIAR

Let’s get the ball rolling on the new marketing campaign.
Vamos dar o pontapé inicial na nova campanha de marketing.

Origin: Comes from ball games (like soccer or bowling), where initiating action requires the ball to start moving.

BE ON THE BALL
ESTAR ALERTA, LIGADO / REAGIR RAPIDAMENTE

He’s really on the ball when it comes to customer service.
Ele está super ligado quando se trata de atendimento ao cliente.

Origin: Likely from baseball or soccer, referring to a player who is attentive and in control of the ball and the game.

A LONG SHOT
IMPROVÁVEL

Winning the lottery is a long shot, but people still try.
Ganhar na loteria é algo improvável, mas as pessoas continuam tentando.

Origin: Comes from horse racing, where a “long shot” is a horse with low odds of winning.

STEP UP TO THE PLATE
AGIR QUANDO NECESSÁRIO

It’s time for someone to step up to the plate and lead the team.
É hora de alguém assumir a responsabilidade e liderar a equipe.

Origin: From baseball, where a batter “steps up to the plate” (batting area) to face the pitcher.

SLAM DUNK
UMA VITÓRIA FÁCIL OU GARANTIDA

That job interview was a slam dunk. He got the position!
Aquela entrevista de emprego foi certeira. Ele conseguiu a vaga!

Origin: From basketball, where a slam dunk is a forceful, often showy shot that’s almost impossible to miss.

JUMP THE GUN
QUEIMAR A LARGADA, AGIR PREMATURAMENTE

We shouldn’t jump the gun until we have all the facts.
Não devemos nos precipitar antes de termos todos os fatos.

Origin: Comes from track and field, where runners who start before the starting pistol are penalized for “jumping the gun.”

GAME CHANGER
ALGO QUE MUDA TOTALMENTE UMA SITUAÇÃO

The new AI software is a real game changer in education.
O novo software de IA é realmente um divisor de águas na educação.

Origin: From sports commentary, referring to a player or event that significantly alters the outcome of a game.

LEVEL PLAYING FIELD
UMA SITUAÇÃO JUSTA COM OPORTUNIDADES IGUAIS PARA TODOS

The new policy creates a level playing field for small businesses.
A nova política cria condições justas de concorrência para as pequenas empresas.

Origin: Drawing from different sports, where an uneven field would give one team an unfair advantage, it came to symbolize efforts to ensure fairness and equal opportunities.