So SADDLE UP and TAKE THE REINS as we RIDE OFF INTO THE SUNSET with our last 20 idioms. But don’t worry. We are compiling a complete version on the website with all of them (almost 300 so far) so check back often.

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(To be) off base baseball

Means making unfair or untrue statements

His comments were off base about his fellow workers.

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Out of left field baseball

Means out of nowhere

His crazy ideas came out of left field.

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Par for the course golf

Means what is expected or standard

Traffic during rush hour is par for the course in Rio.

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Pinch-hit for (someone) baseball

Means to be a substitute for someone

The assistant was told to pinch-hit at the meeting for her sick boss.
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Pitch an idea baseball

Means to make a proposal or suggestion about something

I will pitch my idea about a new project tomorrow.
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Pitch (someone) a curve baseball

Means to confuse someone by doing something unexpected

My boss pitched me a curve when he changed my responsibilities.

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(To) play hardball baseball

Means to be tough in your actions

He decided not to be weak and play hardball with the client.

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Pull one’s punches boxing

Means to hold back in one’s effort, to be lenient

The manager was pulling his punches to be more positive when he critiqued his workers.

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(To) punt American football

Means to use the last resort to cut your losses

The manager decided it was better to give in to the market and punt.

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Run interference American football

Means to intervene or shield someone order to protect them from something

The spokesperson ran interference to protect them from bad publicity.
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Run with (something) American football

Means to implement something and continue with it

My boss took my idea and ran with it.

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Shot in the dark hunting

Means to take a chance or a guess

As luck would have it, his estimate was correct as it was just a shot in the dark.

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(To) sideline (someone) or (something) American football/soccer

Means to take someone or something out of play

After poor sales the company decided to sideline the product.

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Slam dunk basketball

Means something easy to achieve, a sure thing

As I am prepared, it is a slam dunk that I will pass the interview.

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Step up to the plate baseball

Means to do the right thing, take responsibility or take control

You need to step up to the plate and admit you are wrong.

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Take the gloves off hockey/boxing

Means to not hold back, to fight to the end

The boss told us we had to get serious and take the gloves off.

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Throw in the towel boxing

Means to quit, to give up

If we are not going to make changes to succeed, we may as well throw in the towel and quit.

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Three strikes and you’re out baseball

Means you only have three tries

The boss won’t accept repeated failure. It is three strikes and you’re out.

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Toe the line running

Means to accept the rules and standards of the company or group

The worker was let go as he refused to toe the line.

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Touch base with (someone) baseball

Means to make contact with someone, usually briefly

I touched base with my boss to give him a quick update.

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Rob Howard is the owner of Online Language Center. He is a teacher, tutor, trainer, material designer and author for English as a foreign language. He is also a consultant and has been a frequent speaker internationally regarding online retention as well as using technology in and out of the classroom. Originally from Boston, Massachusetts in the U.S., he is currently residing in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. You may e-mail him at rob@onlinelanguagecenter.com.