What are some common sports idioms?

Some of the most common sports idioms in English include:

Down-and-out (boxing): Physically or financially weakened like a boxer who has been knocked down and is unconscious
Drop the ball (baseball, rugby, American football): To forget to do something or miss an opportunity
Gambit (boxing and chess): A calculated move
Get the ball rolling (various ball games): To start an activity
Hands down (horse racing): Unquestionably
Have (someone) in your corner (boxing): To have someone’s support or help
Hit below the belt (boxing): To criticize another person in an unfair or unethical way
Keep your eye on the ball (baseball): Stay alert
Mulligan (golf): A do-over
On the ball (baseball): Alert and proactive
Par for the course (golf): Normal or expected
Roll with the punches (boxing): To gracefully triumph over any challenges that come along
Saved by the bell (boxing): To get out of a difficult situation because of a timely interruption
Slam dunk (basketball): A certain win or guaranteed success

When you’re curious about the origin or meaning of different sports idioms, QuillBot’s AI Chat will provide instant answers, and it’s completely free to use.

Sports terms: Other interesting questions

What is a break point in tennis?: The term break point in tennis describes a stage in a game when the player who is not serving (the receiver) can win the game if they win the next point (i.e., when the score is 0-40, 15-40, or 30-40, or there is a “deuce” and the receiver has the “advantage”). If the receiver wins this point, they have “broken” their opponent’s serve.

In professional tennis, most games “go with serve,” which means that the server wins the game. This is because having the serve makes it easier to win a point.

A break point is therefore a significant stage in a set because if you “hold” (win) all your service games in a set, you only need to break your opponent’s serve once to win the set, by six games to four or seven games to five.

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What is a drop shot in tennis?: A drop shot in tennis is a softly played shot that lands close to the net, forcing your opponent to rush forward from the back of the court to reach it. To be effective, a drop shot should be:

Hit low over the net so it gives your opponent less time to chase down.

Played with backspin (“slice”) so the ball stops quickly and bounces low.

“Disguised” by setting up your swing as if you are going to hit a normal shot, then adjusting your racket at the last moment

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What is a bagel in tennis?: A bagel in tennis is a slang term to describe a set that is won by six games to zero (“six love”). For example, “Alcaraz handed Smith a bagel in the final set.”

You can also use it as a verb: “Alcaraz bagelled Smith in the final set.”

If you’re new to tennis, QuillBot’s free AI chat can help you understand tennis terms like “a bagel.”
What is a Grand Slam in tennis?: A Grand Slam in tennis is one of the four major tournaments: The Australian Open (played on courts with a hardcourt surface), the French Open (played on clay courts), the Wimbledon Championships (located in the UK and played on grass courts), or the US Open (played on courts with a hardcourt surface). For example, “She has missed the last two Grand Slams due to injury.”

“The Grand Slam” means winning all of these tournaments in the same calendar year (e.g., “Steffi Graf completed the Grand Slam in women’s singles in 1988”).

QuillBot’s free AI chat can help you understand tennis terms like Grand Slam if you’re new to the sport.
What is a Golden Slam in tennis?: A Golden Slam in tennis is when a player wins all of the four major tournaments (the Grand Slams) and the Olympic or Paralympic gold medal in the same discipline in the same calendar year (e.g., “Diede de Groot completed the Golden Slam in 2021”).

QuillBot’s free AI chat can give you instant answers to questions about tennis terms like Golden Slam.
What are some basketball slang terms?: Basketball slang terms include:

Airball: A missed shot that never touches the hoop or backboard

Brick: A missed shot that bounces off the rim or backboard in a loud and awkward way

Dagger: A shot that seals the win

Rock: Another name for the ball

Shoot hoops: Play basketball

Slam dunk: When a player jumps and pushes the ball through the basket

The paint: The painted area of a basketball court near the goal

When you’re curious about basketball slang, QuillBot’s AI Chat can provide quick answers to your questions.
What are some basketball betting terms?: Basketball betting terms include:

Moneyline: A bet that’s only based on which team will win (rather than the points a team wins by)

Over/under: A bet on whether the total number of points scored by both teams will be over or under a certain number

Parlay: One wager that includes multiple selections

Prop bet: A bet on how well a team or player performs compared to their performance statistics (rather than the outcome of the game)

Future: A bet on which team will win a future division, conference, or championship or which players will win certain awards at the end of the season

Point spread betting: Wagering on the number of points a team is expected to win or lose by

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What is the Caitlin Clark effect?: The Caitlin Clark effect is a term for the impact of Caitlin Clark’s skill and success on the popularity of women’s basketball. Clark was a Point Guard for the University of Iowa Hawkeyes and began her WNBA career with the Indiana Fever in 2024.

During the 2023 and 2024 college women’s tournaments, Clark drew national attention by setting records for the most points and three-pointers. Her 2023 and 2024 NCAA championship games and her WNBA games have broken records for the most-watched women’s basketball games.

When you’re curious about basketball players and records, QuillBot’s free AI Chat can answer questions in seconds.