(SPORTS)

Ahead of the pack
If you are ahead of the pack, you have made more progress than your rivals.
Argue the toss
If you argue the toss, you refuse to accept a decision and argue about it.
Ball is in your court
If the ball is in your court, it is up to you to make the next decision or step.
Below par
If something isn’t up to standard, or someone isn’t feeling or doing very well, they are below par.
Below the belt
If someone says something that is cruel or unfair, it is below the belt, like the illegal punches in boxing.
Big hitter
A big hitter is someone who commands a lot of respect and is very important in his field.
Box clever
If you box clever, you use your intelligence to get what you want, even if you have to cheat a bit.
Break your duck
If you break your duck, you do something for the first time.
Come to grips
If you come to grips with a problem or issue, you face up to it and deal with it.
Curve ball
If something is a curve ball, it is deceptive.
Dead heat
If a race ends in a dead heat, two or more finish with exactly the same result.
Do a Devon Loch
If someone does a Devon Loch, they fail when they were very close to winning.
Early bath
If someone has or goes for an early bath, they quit or lose their job or position earlier than expected because things have gone wrong.
Fighting chance
If you have a fighting chance, you have a reasonable possibility of success.
First out of the gate
When someone is first out of the gate, they are the first to do something that others are trying to do.
Football’s a game of two halves
If something’s a game of two halves, it means that it’s possible for someone’s fortunes or luck to change and the person who’s winning could end up a loser.
Foul play
If the police suspect foul play, they think a crime was committed.
Get the ball rolling
If you get the ball rolling, you start something so that it can start making progress.
Get to grips
If you get to grips with something, you take control and do it properly.
Hat trick
Three successes one after the other is a hat trick.
Hedge your bets
If you hedge your bets, you don’t risk everything on one opportunity, but try more than one thing.
Hit the bull’s-eye
If someone hits the bull’s-eye, they are exactly right about something or achieve the best result possible.
Hit the mark
If someone hits the mark, they are right about something.
Home stretch
The home stretch is the last part of something, like a journey, race or project.
Hook, line, and sinker
If somebody accepts or believes something hook, line, and sinker, they accept it completely.
Horses for courses
Horses for courses means that what is suitable for one person or situation might be unsuitable for another.
Jockey for position
If a number of people want the same opportunity and are struggling to emerge as the most likely candidate, they are jockeying for position.
Jump the gun
If you jump the gun, you start doing something before the appropriate time.
Keep your eye on the ball
If you keep your eye on the ball, you stay alert and pay close attention to what is happening.
Level playing field
If there’s a level playing field everybody is treated equally.
Major league
Something major league is very important.
Move the goalposts
When people move the goalposts, they change the standards required for something to their advantage.
No holds barred
If there are no holds barred, there are no rules of conduct; you can do anything.
Off the mark
If something is off the mark, it is inaccurate or incorrect.
On the ball
If someone’s on the ball, they are well-informed and know what’s going on in their area of responsibility or interest.
Par for the course
If something is par for the course, it is what you expected it would be. If it is above par, it is better, and if it is below par, it is worse.
Pick-up game
A pick-up game is something unplanned where people respond to events as they happen.
Play hardball
If someone plays hardball, they are very aggressive in trying to achieve their aim.
Pull no punches
If you pull no punches, you hold nothing back.
Pull your punches
If you pull your punches, you do not use all the power or authority at your disposal.
Punching bag
A punching bag (or punch bag) is a person who gets a lot of unfair criticism.
Quick off the mark
If someone is quick off the mark, they are very quick to use, start or do something new.
Ringside seat
If you have a ringside seat, you can observe something from a very close and clear position.
Sticky wicket
If you are on a sticky wicket, you are in a difficult situation.
Still in the game
If someone is still in the game, they may be having troubles competing, but they are not yet finished and may come back.
The ball’s in your court
If somebody says this to you, they mean that it’s up to you to decide or take the next step.
Throw in the towel
If you throw in the towel, you admit that you are defeated or cannot do something.
Whole new ball game
If something’s a whole new ball game, it is completely new or different.
Wide of the mark
If something is wide of the mark, it is inaccurate or incorrect.