Over the moon: Sport speak

Q. Is what

A. Love it or hate it, sport, and the way it affects the language that we speak, seems impossible to avoid. So lets 'get off the blocks' and see how many we can 'knock out'.

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Q. Speaking of knock outs

A. We'll start with boxing, which has given its fair share of metaphors into mainstream English. If you're one of those people who feels strongly that boxing is nothing more than a violent spectacle, not really a sport at all, then you probably wouldn't 'pull your punches' when you argued your case.

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Don't be afraid to tell someone what you think because you may find that they are 'in your corner', but 'keep your guard up' in case you are talking to a boxing fan who disagrees (you may be 'out for the count' if you lose the argument). Hopefully, the person you're arguing with will have to stop the discussion and go somewhere else, and you'll be 'saved by the bell'. If not, be brave and 'take it on the chin', and you'll live to fight another day.

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Anyway, if all else fails you can always 'hit below the belt', and that should make them 'throw in the towel'.

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Q. What about cricket

A. Well, you won't be 'stumped for an answer': we 'field' questions from people and then try to 'hit our opponents for six', but we always try to 'play on a level field' and 'off our own bat'.

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Q. Baseball must have spawned a couple

A. Yes, in America, businessmen love to talk about a 'ball-park figure' when they want to say how much something will cost, then they'll 'make their pitch' to convince you to invest your money. For some reason, speaking about baseball makes Americans think of sex. In fact, it might be easy for a foreigner to get the wrong impression: 'Did you "score" last night ' 'Yeah, but I only "got to first base".' Well, at least you didn't 'strike out'. 'Why do you look so happy ' 'I "picked a winner" and "hit a home run".'

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But sport isn't always about winning. Try not to 'skate on thin ice' or 'shoot yourself in the foot' or you may find that you are 'out for a duck'.

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Q. And now you're a card shark

A. Well I've got some more advice 'up my sleeve': remember that you should steer clear of 'poker-faced' people who try to 'call your bluff'. Life is all about 'coming up trumps' before you 'play your last card'.

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Q. Now we're really getting 'snookered'

A. Maybe I 'scored an own goal' if I suggested that I knew a lot of sporting metaphors. Or perhaps I was just 'fishing for compliments' and trying to get you 'hooked'. I think it's time to 'pass on the baton' because this article is becoming a 'one horse race'.

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So, now that 'the ball's in your court', can you think of any sporting metaphors we've missed

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For more on Phrases & Saying click here

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By Simon Smith