Sports-Related Business Idioms

Instructions:

Sports idioms are commonly used in business communication. They give our content a distinct character and often explain an idea or concept precisely.

Just keep in mind that you’re on a “sticky wicket” if your audience doesn’t know the sports reference—they may be “left stumped!”

Take a shot at our 5-minute sports idioms quiz.

You have 18 seconds for each question. The explanation sections are not timed.

Instructions:

Sports idioms are commonly used in business communication. They give our content a distinct character and often explain an idea or concept precisely.

Just keep in mind that you’re on a “sticky wicket” if your audience doesn’t know the sports reference—they may be “left stumped!”

Take a shot at our 5-minute sports idioms quiz.

You have 18 seconds for each question. The explanation sections are not timed.

Question: Complete the sentences by choosing the correct sports-related reference to fill in the blanks.

James is definitely the ________ for the assistant manager’s position.

A. ringer

B. front-runner

C. quarterback

Explanation: A front-runner is someone who is expected to win or succeed.

Sport/ Game: Horse racing, racing

Explanation: A front-runner is someone who is expected to win or succeed.

Sport/ Game: Horse racing, racing

2. We have responded to our competitors’ offer with a well-thought counter-offer. Now, ________. All we can do is wait for them to respond.

A. We play away from home

B. We call the shots

C. The ball is in their court

Explanation: The ball is in <someone’s> court is used to express that it’s someone else’s decision to do something.

Sport/ Game: Tennis

Explanation: The ball is in <someone’s> court is used to express that it’s someone else’s decision to do something.

Sport/ Game: Tennis

3. XYZ Inc. Gave a ten percent raise ________ for such a successful year.

A. To score an own goal

B. To go the distance

C. Across the board

Explanation: Across the board means something that applies equally to everyone.

Sport/ Game: Horse racing

Explanation: Across the board means something that applies equally to everyone.

Sport/ Game: Horse racing

4. You should ________ with your counterpart to make sure you understand all the stages of this project.

A. Touch base

B. Drop the ball

C. Go to the mat

Explanation: To touch base with <someone> means to briefly meet or contact someone, usually for an update.

Sport/ Game: Baseball

Explanation: To touch base with <someone> means to briefly meet or contact someone, usually for an update.

Sport/ Game: Baseball

5. Daniel quoted a ________ figure of how much it would cost him to buy his competitor’s business.

A. lightweight

B. ballpark

C. Square off

Explanation: A ballpark figure is an approximate number.

Sport/ Game: Baseball

Explanation: A ballpark figure is an approximate number.

Sport/ Game: Baseball

6. I thought Jane would manage this project well; however, when the time came to present the results, she ________.

A. Dropped the ball

B. Kept the ball rolling

C. Moved the goalposts

Explanation: To drop the ball is to either commit a mistake or disappoint someone.

Sport/ Game: Baseball

Explanation: To drop the ball is to either commit a mistake or disappoint someone.

Sport/ Game: Baseball

7. As an intern, Daniel had to _______ quickly so he could drive the company’s new initiative forward.

A. Take sides

B. Hit below the belt

C. Learn the ropes

Explanation: To learn the ropes is to understand how to do new things or a particular job.

Sport/ Game: Sailing

Explanation: To learn the ropes is to understand how to do new things or a particular job.

Sport/ Game: Sailing

8. The manager's ability to make quick decisions was another ________ and helped him manage his projects and team well.

A. Safe bet

B. Slam dunk

C. Arrow in his quiver

Explanation: Arrow in the quiver means to have resources or strategies that can be used to achieve goals.

Sport/ Game: Archery

Explanation: Arrow in the quiver means to have resources or strategies that can be used to achieve goals.

Sport/ Game: Archery

9. Andrew is the best person to head this project. He always ________ and works really well under pressure.

A. Gets off the hook

B. Keeps his eye on the ball

C. Goes overboard

Explanation: To keep <one’s> eye on the ball means to stay focused.

Sport/ Game: Golf

Explanation: To keep <one’s> eye on the ball means to stay focused.

Sport/ Game: Golf

10. Even though I have no prior experience of working with .NET technology, I am ready to ________ and complete this project successfully.

A. Get off the hook

B. Race against the time

C. Take the bull by the horns

Explanation: To take the bull by the horns means to deal with a difficult situation in a very direct or confident way.

Sport/ Game: Bullfighting

Explanation: To take the bull by the horns means to deal with a difficult situation in a very direct or confident way.

Sport/ Game: Bullfighting

11. I would like to have lunch with you this week, but I may need to ________; I’m working on a strict project deadline.

A. Be up to the plate

B. Take a rain check

C. Settle scores

Explanation: To take a rain check means an assurance of a deferred extension of an offer.

Sport/ Game: Baseball

Explanation: To take a rain check means an assurance of a deferred extension of an offer.

Sport/ Game: Baseball

12. The company plans to ________ before it introduces its new product.

A. Test the waters

B. Step up to the plate

C. Out of the league

Explanation: To test the waters means to find out whether something is likely to be successful before you do or try it.

Sport/ Game: Swimming

Explanation: To test the waters means to find out whether something is likely to be successful before you do or try it.

Sport/ Game: Swimming

13. We were ________ when the meeting ended before we could deliver our ill-prepared presentation.

A. Taking off the gloves

B. Hitting the homerun

C. Saved by the bell

Explanation: To be saved by the bell means to be rescued from a tough situation at the last minute.

Sport/ Game: Boxing

Explanation: To be saved by the bell means to be rescued from a tough situation at the last minute.

Sport/ Game: Boxing

14. It took Lindy at least six months to ________ of how things work in her new company; now, everything is easy and straightforward for her.

A. Jump on the bandwagon

B. Get into the full swing

C. Knock for a six

Explanation: To get into the full swing means to get accustomed to an activity or routine.

Sport/ Game: Tennis

Explanation: To get into the full swing means to get accustomed to an activity or routine.

Sport/ Game: Tennis

15. Despite significant time and financial investment spent on succession management, only a quarter of organizations have the leadership ________ to manage their succession processes.

A. wheelhouse

B. Wild card

C. Bench strength

Explanation: Bench strength refers to the competence and the capability of potential successors to move into key professional and leadership positions.

Sport/ Game: Baseball

Explanation: Bench strength refers to the competence and the capability of potential successors to move into key professional and leadership positions.

Sport/ Game: Baseball

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