Sport idioms. p2.

Дата публикации: Sep 27, 2015 5:22:9 PM

to be on the ball - to be quick to understand and to react to things

I rely on my co-driver to be on the ball.

I didn't sleep well last night and I'm not really on the ball today.

to move the goalposts (British, American & Australian) also move the goal (American) - to change the rules in a situation in a way that is not fair, usually in order to make it more difficult for someone to achieve something

My boss is never satisfied. Whenever I think I've done what he wants, he moves the goalposts.

take your eye off the ball - to not give your attention to what you are doing at the time

If you're a manager, you can't afford to take your eye off the ball for one minute.

a level playing field - a fair situation

There are calls for less restrictive laws in order to allow them to compete on a level playing field (= in a way that is fair) with other financial institutions.

a whole new ball game - a completely different situation; something completely different.

Now that you’re here, it’s a whole new ball game.

score an own goal - something that someone does to try to get an advantage, but which makes a situation worse for them

Usage notes: In sport, an own goal is when someone scores a point for the opposite team by mistake.

The publishing industry believes that new regulations on recycling paper will be an environmental own goal.

The government has scored an own goal with its harsh treatment of single parents.

start the ball rolling - get the ball rolling and set the ball rolling; start the ball rolling - Fig. to get a process started. (See also keep the ball rolling)

If I could just get the ball rolling, then other people would help.

Who else would start the ball rolling?

I had the ball rolling, but no one helped me with the project.

drop the ball

1. Lit. [in a ball game of some type] to let the ball get away or fall out of one's grasp.

Good grief! Bill dropped the ball, just as he was about to score!

2. Fig. to make a blunder; to fail in some way.

Everything was going fine in the election until my campaign manager dropped the ball.

You can't trust John to do the job right. He's always dropping the ball.