B Match the heads and tails of the sporting idioms, then fit each one into an appropriate gap in the article, changing the form as necessary.
Date: 2015-10-07; view: 592.
A There are many idioms which have come from sport, but which are used to talk about other situations. Which sport do you think the following expressions came from? If you need help, check the NOTE/ORIGIN boxes in the main part of the dictionary.
Be a Good Sport
| football swimming golf horse-racing cricket baseball boxing - hit/knock sb for six - move the goalposts - be thrown in at the deep end - below par - par for the course - on the ropes - pull no punches - out of your depth - win/lose by a short head - be way out in left field - be on a sticky wicket - out for the count |
| pull no thrown in at the deep on the out of your a whole new ball | ball depth end game punches | Almost 20 million viewers tuned in to Channel 2 last night to see the long-awaited live debate between Prime Minister Turner and Leader of the Opposition Simon Stand. Mr Stand must have felt he'd been (1) thrown in at the deep end , appearing in his first TV debate so soon after becoming leader. He has had a highly successful career as an MP, but this is (2)________________. Mr Turner knew he had the advantage, and he (3)____________________. Mr Stand, who is usually (4)___________________and very skilled at handling questions, appeared flustered and (5)______________. |
| ballpark move the set the ball throw in the way off the | figure goalposts mark rolling towel | Mr Turner (6)____________by asking Mr Stand how much money he intended to spend on the health service. Mr Stand mentioned a (7)_________that was (8)_____, as Mr Turner was quick to point out. Mr Stand looked as if he wanted to (9)___________at this stage, but recovered enough to accuse the government of (10)_____by changing the tax limits in order to suit their policies. Mr Turner appeared to hesitate before giving an unconvincing reply. | |
| back to square know the a one-horse par for the | course one race skore | Simon Stand has long complained that people are more interested in how politicians come across on TV than in their policies. As leader, he must now accept that this is (11)________Mr Turner (12)____________, and receives regular 'media training. The debate will no doubt prove a disaster for Mr Stand, who is already a long way behind in the opinion polls. So it's (13)__________________for him and his party. If they don't come up with some solid and convincing policies very soon, the election looks like being (14)________________ | |