Idioms From Games/ Sports

Front 1

To make someone admit they were pretending to be stronger or better than they really are

Back 1

To call someone's bluff

-Origin Poker

Front 2

In the open, without cheating

Back 2

Above board

Front 3

To refuse to make a decision yourself

Back 3

To pass the buck

Front 4

To reveal something you've kept to yourself

Back 4

To get it off your chest

Front 5

To be treated unfairly

Back 5

To get a raw deal

Front 6

Increase potential rewards and risks

Back 6

Raise the ante

Front 7

To have an advantage that you've kept hidden

Back 7

To have an ace up your sleeve

Front 8

To do the same as anybody else

Back 8

To follow suit

Front 9

To be very alert

Back 9

Not miss a trick

Front 10

To perform especially well

Back 10

To turn up trumps

Front 11

To oblige one to act against their will

Back 11

To force someone's hand

Front 12

Depending purely on chance

Back 12

The luck of the draw

Front 13

To be equally likely to win

Back 13

To be/run neck and neck

Front 14

To take several possibilities into account in horse ricing in order to be on the safe side

Back 14

To hedge your bets

Front 15

Applying to all

Back 15

Across the board

Front 16

To take a big risck

Back 16

To go for broke

Front 17

At a crucial, decisive time

Back 17

When the chips are down

Front 18

To win easily and obviously

Back 18

To win hands down

Front 19

Someone who may turn out to be talented

Back 19

A dark horse

Front 20

To pay more for something than it's worth

Back 20

To pay over the odds

Front 21

To beat someone in a contest at the last moment

Back 21

To pip somebody at the post

Front 22

To stand a chance of winning

Back 22

To be in the running of a horse race

Front 23

Matching people with jobs they're good at

Back 23

Horses of courses

Front 24

To have to star all over again

Back 24

To be sent back to square one

Front 25

Start beating someone in a contest who had been beating you before

Back 25

To turn the tables on somebody

Front 26

To be more expensive than you can afford

Back 26

To break the bank

Front 27

To draw a blank

Back 27

To fail to find or to obtain something

Front 28

To get very successful

Back 28

To hit the jackpot

Front 29

A high-risk activity

Back 29

Russian roulette

Front 30

There's the crucial problem

Back 30

There's the rub

Front 31

To get a fair chance, good opportunities

Back 31

To get an even break

Front 32

To sell your assets and quit a buisiness

Back 32

To cash in your chips

Front 33

The conditions are making it hard for me to succeed

Back 33

The dice are loaded against me

Front 34

To lose all your money

Back 34

To lose your shirt

Front 35

To refuse to give in

Back 35

To dig your heels

Front 36

It's up to you to make a decision now

Back 36

The ball is in your court

Front 37

Harm your own interests by mistake

Back 37

An own goal

Front 38

Wrong

Back 38

Off base

Front 39

Create an advantage for your competitors

Back 39

Play into someone's hands

Front 40

What is to be expected in a given situation

Back 40

Part of the course

Front 41

To comply with the rules (regels naleven)

Back 41

Toe the line

Front 42

To act too soon

Back 42

Jump the gun

Front 43

To understand and react very quickly

Back 43

Quick off the mark

Front 44

To astonish somebody

Back 44

Ta hit somebody for six

Front 45

To have an advantage

Back 45

To have the inside track

Front 46

To start from the beginning

Back 46

To start from scratch

Front 47

To point out dishonest or illegal acts

Back 47

To blow the whistle on someone

Front 48

A fair situation

Back 48

A level paying field

Front 49

Disappointing

Back 49

Below par

Front 50

Someone's reputation, past achievements

Back 50

Somebody's track record

Front 51

Everyone things it's okey to criticize somebody

Back 51

It's open season on somebody

Front 52

To decide what you want to achieve

Back 52

To set your sights on something

Front 53

To try as hard as you can

Back 53

To give it your best shot

Front 54

You've got it

Back 54

It's in the bag

Front 55

To be vulnerable

Back 55

To be a sitting duck

Front 56

An attempt that's not likely to succeed

Back 56

A long shot

Front 57

Wrong ( shooting contest)

Back 57

Wide off the mark

Front 58

Something that distracts for example in a discussion

Back 58

A red herring

Front 59

To be loyal through difficult conditions

Back 59

To be loyal through thick and thin

Front 60

A variety of things

Back 60

A mixed bag

Front 61

Left up the chance whether it will succeed

Back 61

Hit and miss

Front 62

To make someone feel confused

Back 62

To throw someone out off balance

Front 63

To suffer/ accept harsh criticism

Back 63

To take it on the chin

Front 64

To be in a difficult situation

Back 64

To be in tight corner

Front 65

To complete an activity

Back 65

To go the full distance

Front 66

Without hesitation

Back 66

To do something at the drop of a hat

Front 67

To be careless/ too relaxed

Back 67

To lower your guard

Front 68

To engage in a one-to- one competition

Back 68

To go/ be head-to-head with somebody

Front 69

Unrestrained

Back 69

A no-holds-barred competition

Front 70

To be close to defeat

Back 70

to be on the ropes

Front 71

To try to intimidate somebody

Back 71

To flex your muscles

Front 72

To take a risk that could get you into trouble

Back 72

To stick your neck out

Front 73

Not criticize as hard as you could

Back 73

To pull your punches

Front 74

Not good enough

Back 74

Not come up to scratch

Front 75

To give up

Back 75

To throw in the towel/ sponge

Front 76

To challenge somebody

Back 76

To throw down the gauntlet