A Sporting ChanceNeil McMahon

ABS Challenge Your EnglishSunday 25th March 2012

Let’s set sail:

A Sporting Chance

sailoverboard

rideberthshipwind

ropewaves

bailtack

sheet

Give that boy

a wide _____.

He’s bad news.

Let’s set sail:

A Sporting Chance

Laura always

runs a tight _____.

He didn't get a

good evaluation.

It really took the_____

out of his _____.

 Don't go _____

on decorations

for the party.

The prime minister

decided to_____out

the scandal.

sailoverboard

rideberthshipwind

berth

ship

overboard

ridewind

sails

Let’s set sail:

A Sporting Chance

He _____ through

that assignment.

You'll soon learn the

_____of this job.

Don't make ______

for the boss.

She is under pressure.

He's seven _____

to the _____. Who's the

designated driver?

Let's take a new _____

to the problem. We

aren't getting a solution.

sailrope

wavesbailtack

sheetwind

tack

sheets

wind

sailed

ropes

waves

The government is

______ out the

savings and

loan banksbailing

BaseballA Sporting Chance

A Sporting Chance

 Let's play ball!

A Sporting Chance Let's play ball!

the plateloaded bases

a rain check

first base

the minor leagues

a ball park

a curve balla pitch

A Sporting Chance Let's play ball!

the plateloaded bases

a rain check

first base

the minor leagues

a ball park

a curve balla pitch

A Sporting Chance

He made a good pitch for the party at last night’s dinner.

A Sporting Chance

He threw me a curve ball when he asked me about the figures.

A Sporting Chance

I need a ball park figure on what it will cost.

A Sporting Chance

Go to the big boss; that bloke’s a minor leaguer

A Sporting Chance

I wish I could get to first base with her.

A Sporting Chance

We sure dropped the ball that time.

A Sporting Chance

We need to play hardball this time.

A Sporting Chance

Do you mind if we take a rain check on that dinner?

A Sporting Chance

 Our bases are loaded. We should win hands down.

A Sporting Chance

I need to touch base with the missus.

A Sporting Chance

We need someone to step up to the plate or we’re done for.

It’s just not cricketA Sporting Chance

It’s just not cricketA Sporting Chance

It’s just not cricketA Sporting Chance

1. To be bowled over

meaning: To be astonished, greatly surprised and excited, left speechless.

Example: I saw Morrissey live in concert last month and I was bowled over by his performance.

It’s just not cricketA Sporting Chance

2. To hit for six

Meaning: To be deeply shocked or hurt (by someone/thing)

Example: When my wife left me it really hit me for six.

It’s just not cricketA Sporting Chance

3. A sticky wicket

Meaning: A difficult situation

Example: 3. "If she carries on like this she won’t pass the year and will have to repeat","Yes, she’s really on a sticky wicket."

It’s just not cricketA Sporting Chance

4. It's not cricket

Meaning: to play unfairly or against the rules of fair play

Example: "In order to get the job he lied about his experience and criticised the other candidates,"“But that’s just not cricket"

It’s just not cricketA Sporting Chance

5. To stump (to be stumped)

Meaning: to have no idea, to be confronted by a problem you can't find the solution to.

Example: The exam was going well until they asked me a question about the Russian Revolution and I was completely stumped.

Play or Pass – Card playing idioms

A Sporting Chance

keep your cards close to

your chest

have the cards piled against

youput your cards

on the tableforce

someone’s hand

follow trumps an ace up your sleeve on the cards when the cards

are down

hedge your bets above board dealt a bad

cardcome up trumps

come within a joker of in spades up the ante hold all the

aces

Play or Pass – Card playing idioms

A Sporting Chance

keep your cards close to

your chest

have the cards piled against

youput your cards

on the tableforce

someone’s hand

follow trumps an ace up your sleeve on the cards when the cards

are down

hedge your bets above board dealt a bad

cardcome up trumps

come within a joker of in spades up the ante hold all the

aces

have the cards

stacked against

you

when the chips

are down

dealt a bad

hand

come within an

ace of

follow suit

1.the ball is in your court

A Sporting Chance

tennis

2. you’re barking up the wrong tree

A Sporting Chance

hunting

A Sporting Chance

3. she calls the shots

pool / billiards

A Sporting Chance

4. we all chipped in

cards

A Sporting Chance

5. it’s going down to the wire

horse racing

A Sporting Chance

6. you’ll soon get into the swing of things

tennis

A Sporting Chance

7. he’s off the hook

fishing

A Sporting Chance

8. they gave us a run for our money

horse racing

A Sporting Chance

9. don’t jump the gun

track

A Sporting Chance

10. she’s just about keeping her head above water

swimming

A Sporting Chance

11. it’s never been a level playing field

field sports

A Sporting Chance

12. he might not make the cut

golf

A Sporting Chance

13. it’s neck and neck

horse racing

A Sporting Chance

14. it’s no sweat off my nose

boxing

A Sporting Chance

15. that sounds par for the course

golf

A Sporting Chance

16. there’s plenty of other fish in the sea

fishing

A Sporting Chance

17. it was a bit of a shot in the dark

hunting

A Sporting Chance

18. he’s skating on thin ice if you ask me

skating

A Sporting Chance

19. I’m never going to throw in the towel

boxing

A Sporting Chance

20. she’ll win hands down, just you wait

cards

A Sporting Chance

ABS Challenge Your EnglishSunday 25th March 2012

Thanks for coming – keep in touch!

Neil McMahon@mcneilmahonamuseamuses.wordpress.comneil@ih-buenosaires.com