This document provides examples of common idioms derived from various sports and explains their meanings. Some of the idioms discussed include "drop the ball" from baseball meaning to fail or make a mistake, "run interference" from American football meaning to help resolve problems, "take a shot at" or "give it your best shot" from basketball meaning to try or attempt something, and "show someone the ropes" from sailing meaning to teach someone how to do something.

1. To make a mistake, especially when you didn’t complete one of your
responsibilities. This idiom comes from the fact that in baseball, dropping the
ball is an error in the game.
Baseball – drop the ball
I was counting on Pete to finish his part of the project, but he completely
dropped the ball. (counting on = depending on. Pete didn’t complete his part
of the project)

2. American football – run interference
To help someone by resolving problems for them. Football players “run
interference” by stopping players from the other team from getting the
player with the ball.
It’s difficult to rent an apartment in Stockholm – it’s probably best to
have a real estate agent run interference for you.

3. Basketball – take a shot at / give it your best shot
The idiom “take a shot at” means to try something (often something difficult).
To “give it your best shot” means to try your best. In basketball (as well as
soccer and several other sports), a “shot” is an attempt to put the ball into the
basket or goal.
I can’t solve this math problem. Do you want to take a shot at it? I’m not
sure if I passed the test, but at least I gave it my best shot.

4. Sailing – show / teach someone the ropes
The idiomatic expression “show someone the ropes” means to teach
someone how to do something (such as a job or a process). In sailing, it is
essential to know how to use the ropes in order to control the boat.
It’s my first week on the job, so the manager is showing me the ropes.

5. Track & field – jump the gun
The idiom “jump the gun” means to do something too early or too soon, before
the correct time. This idiomatic expression comes from the fact that a gun was
used to give the starting signal for races, so a person who started before the
signal was given was said to “jump the gun.”
They jumped the gun and started selling products before receiving their
business license.

6. Horse racing – hit / get into your stride
The idiom “hit your stride” means to achieve a good continuous level of
performance. “Stride” is a word that refers to the steps taken while walking or
running. When a horse “hits its stride” in a race, it maintains a good speed in a
comfortable way.
Our company’s sales were weak in the beginning, but we really hit our stride
after we launched our second product.

7. Archery – wide off the mark
This idiomatic expression means “not accurate.” It is often used to describe
predictions or estimates. In archery, arrows that fall far away from the target are
said to be wide off the mark (target).
His sales estimates for the month of January were wide of the mark.

8. Hunting – a sitting duck
A “sitting duck” is an easy target for an attack. In hunting, it is very easy to shoot
and kill a duck that is sitting, because it is not in movement. The idiom “sitting
duck” can be used to describe the targets of literal physical attacks (like in a war)
or other types of attacks (like verbal or social attacks).
The soldiers in the camp were sitting ducks for the enemy’s air attack.

9. Fishing – can of worms
“Can of worms” is an idiom that means “a difficult, complex, or unpredictable
problem” (or multiple problems).
The political situation in that country is a real can of worms.

10. Boxing – one-two punch
The idiom “one-two punch” means a combination of two things that are especially
powerful or effective. This expression comes from boxing, where hitting the
opponent twice (with one punch and then another) is very powerful. “One-two
punch” can be used for both positive and negative situations.
Positive Example: The one-two punch of excellent food and top-quality
drinks make this the best restaurant in town. Negative Example: Losing his job
and his house in the same month was the one-two punch that sent him into
depression.

11. Tennis – the ball’s in your court
This idiomatic expression means “you have the responsibility for the next action.”
In tennis, the area where the game is played is called a “court.” If the ball is in
your side of the court, it means you need to hit it to continue the game.
I’ve offered her $15,000 for her car. The ball’s in her court now. (= she
needs to make the decision whether she will sell the car for that amount of
money) -

12. Golf – par for the course
“Par for the course” means “something normal and expected.” The area where
golf is played is called a course. The term “par” refers to the average number of
tries that are necessary to complete each part of the course.
Of course the classes in your Masters Degree are difficult. That’s par for the
course.

13. Obrigado !!!!!!!