Off and running

- making a good start, progressing well (horses are off and running when they start a race)

The two candidates were off and running in the race to become mayor of the city.

Off base

- wrong, mistaken (bases are used in baseball)

The government was off base with its estimate about how much the stadium would cost.

out of one's league

- not equal to or at the same level as someone else (a league is a group of sports teams that compete against each other)

The artist was out of his league when he went to Paris and tried to sell art.

paddle one's own canoe

- to do something alone, to be independent

The company director had to paddle his own canoe when the other members of the company resigned their positions.

Play by the rules

- to follow the generally accepted rules of something

The team members refused to play by the rules so they were asked to leave the tournament.

Play-by-play (description)

- a detailed description of a sports event as it is taking place (often on the radio or television)

We listened to a play-by-play description of the game.

Play fair

- to avoid cheating, to play by the rules of something

The boxer was a good person and always played fair when he was in the boxing ring.

Play hardball with (someone)

- to behave in an extremely determined way to get what you want (hardball and softball are from the game of baseball)

The owners of the football club decided to play hardball when they began negotiating with the star player.

pull one's punches

- to hold back in one's criticism, for a boxer to hit with light punches

The manager was pulling his punches when he began to criticize his workers.

Pump iron

- to exercise with weights

My friend has been pumping iron for more than two years now.

put in one's oar

- to interfere with something, to add one's opinion or comments to something

We were doing very well until our supervisor put in his oar. We would have done better without him.

rest on one's oars

- to relax one's efforts

The negotiating team members decided to rest on their oars and wait until their partners had a chance to consider the offer.

Right off the bat

- at the very beginning, immediately (similar to a ball leaving a baseball or cricket bat)

When we arrived at the resort, we were told right off the bat that we would have to pay extra to use the pool and the training room.

Safe bet

- a certainty (a horse that is expected to win a race)

It was a safe bet that we would win the large contract if we bid for it.

Set the pace

- to establish the speed or pace of something

The fastest runner set the pace for the other runners during the marathon.

Sink or swim

- to fail or succeed by one's own efforts

My cousin will have to sink or swim when he begins his new job.

Slam dunk

- a sure thing, a dramatic forceful dunk shot in basketball

It is a slam dunk that I will pass my examination.

Дата добавления: 2015-11-14