Part 2 of our 3 part series has 20 more sports idioms for business that will surely GET YOU INTO THE SWING of things at your next meeting. Judging by the response from part 1, we’re BATTING A THOUSAND!
STEP UP TO THE PLATE and make sure you are UP TO PAR with these common boardroom beauties!
Here are the next 20.
Check back next week for part 3.
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Grand slam (home run) baseball
Means to achieve the best result
His incredible presentation was a grand slam with the client.
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Hand the torch/baton to (someone) running
Means to pass the responsibilities to another
His father decided to hand the torch to his son upon retiring.
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Have the inside track horse racing
Means to have an advantage or more knowledge about something
I had the inside track due to following their website for months.
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Have the upper hand poker
Means to have an advantage at something
His years of experience gave him the upper hand.
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Home stretch horse racing
Means to be nearing the finish
After months of preparation they were in the home stretch.
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In full swing golf
Means to be underway, in the middle of something
The product roll-out was in full swing when the system broke down.
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In the homestretch horse racing
Means the final phases of something
Almost ready, the preparations were in the homestretch.
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Jump the gun track
Means to begin something before the start time
I jumped the gun by announcing the product before it was ready.
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Keep your eye on the ball baseball
Means to pay attention
He needed to keep his eye on the ball to avoid problems.
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Kick off (something) or kick (something) off American football
Means to start something
The company kick off of the new product was ready to start.
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Kick (something) around soccer
Means to brainstorm about an idea
The team kicked the idea around before deciding it would work.
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Learn the ropes sailing
Means to learn the way to do something
In the beginning, you will just be learning the ropes.
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Long shot hunting
Means taking a chance at a difficult accomplishment
Due to poor judgement by management, success is a long shot.
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Make the cut any team sport
Means to beat out others chosen for a team or group
My language skills need work, so I’m sure I won’t make the cut.
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Monday morning quarterback American football
Means to say what should have been done in hindsight
As usual, the foolish manager was a Monday morning quarterback with his advice.
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No holds barred wrestling
Means without restraints
There were no holds barred during the sales meeting after their poor performance.
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Not cricket cricket
Means to play unfairly, to not use gentlemanly conduct
The way that the government treated the union leader was not cricket.
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Not up to par golf
Means to not be good enough for the standard
The report isn’t up to par for the work we do here.
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Off the mark running
Means to be inaccurate or incorrect
His overblown figures were way off the mark.
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(Be) on the ball any ball sports
Means to be alert
He needs to be on the ball to succeed.
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Check back next week for part 3.
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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.
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