# full court press (phrases/words borrowed from sports) **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [March 8, 2010, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/full-court-press-phrases-words-borrowed-from-sports/531773 "2010-03-08T22:08:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2010, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/full-court-press-phrases-words-borrowed-from-sports/531773/21 "2010-03-11T03:35:06Z")
Softball. As in, “tossing a-.” ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2010, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/full-court-press-phrases-words-borrowed-from-sports/531773/22 "2010-03-11T04:09:06Z")
Horse racing: Dark horse Odds-on favorite From scratch (from nothing) By a nose Win in a walk Handicap (though from earlier games of chance) Hot to trot (the “trot” portion) Other sports: Switch gears (bicycle and later auto racing) ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2010, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/full-court-press-phrases-words-borrowed-from-sports/531773/23 "2010-03-11T06:49:29Z")
“Pit stop,” from auto racing. ---
**Author:** ![Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freddy_the_Pig)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2010, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/full-court-press-phrases-words-borrowed-from-sports/531773/24 "2010-03-11T16:11:37Z")
This gives me an idea–to see if I can work curling expressions into common conversation. At my next staff meeting, I’m going to say things like, “Let’s see if we can sweep this one into the house”, or “We can make this work if we can get around the guard rocks put down by Accounting”. ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2010, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/full-court-press-phrases-words-borrowed-from-sports/531773/25 "2010-03-11T17:14:11Z")
More boxing: Heavyweight/Lightweight One-Two punch Didn’t know what hit him Up against the ropes Go the distance Take the gloves off Lead with your chin Hit below the belt Low blow Beaten to the punch Come out swinging Pull your punches Roll with the punches Pound for pound Saved by the bell Take a dive Throw in the towel Ringside seat Wrestling: Go to the mat No Holds Barred In the clinch ETA: Crap, I think almsot everything I thought of was already on the wikipedia page! ---
**Author:** ![Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cc9497/32.png) [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2010, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/full-court-press-phrases-words-borrowed-from-sports/531773/26 "2010-03-11T17:46:40Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > Those are not particularly common–and the first, third, and last are likely to draw a whole lotta 😕😕😕 in the U.S… Half of the suggestions in this thread are unknown _outside_ the US. Some more: Scrum Hand of God Jockeying for position Snookered Checkmate (last two are debatable, depending on how strict with the definition of sport you’re being). ---
**Author:** ![Pray\_for\_peace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Pray\_for\_peace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pray_for_peace)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2010, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/full-court-press-phrases-words-borrowed-from-sports/531773/27 "2010-03-11T17:47:25Z")
“No holds barred” is a good example of an idiom that I didn’t know was from wresting. Same thing for “pound for pound” and boxing. ---
**Author:** ![Pray\_for\_peace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Pray\_for\_peace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pray_for_peace)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2010, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/full-court-press-phrases-words-borrowed-from-sports/531773/28 "2010-03-11T17:58:26Z")
> [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](#): > > Half of the suggestions in this thread are unknown _outside_ the US. > > Some more: > Scrum > Hand of God > Jockeying for position > Snookered > Checkmate (last two are debatable, depending on how strict with the definition of sport you’re being). Yeah, I should have mentioned in the OP that American idioms might differ from the rest of the world (e.g., places where baseball and American football aren’t popular.) It’s interesting to hear what the idioms are in other countries. I didn’t know that “hat trick” was an idiom from soccer/football and cricket. :o To me, it’s a hockey term (ice hockey). ---
**Author:** ![Chessic\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7c8e57/32.png) [@Chessic\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chessic_Sense)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2010, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/full-court-press-phrases-words-borrowed-from-sports/531773/29 "2010-03-11T19:30:34Z")
> [@Sidney Evgeni Jordan](#): > > I didn’t know that “hat trick” was an idiom from soccer/football and cricket. :o To me, it’s a hockey term (ice hockey). And baseball. 3 strikeouts in a game, and you don “the golden sombrero”. I’ve heard various combinations of 3 singles, doubles, triples, and home runs referred to as hat tricks as well. If I had to guess, I’d say that single-double-triple is the most common combination that it refers to. ---
**Author:** ![BigNik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/73ab20/32.png) [@BigNik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigNik)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2010, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/full-court-press-phrases-words-borrowed-from-sports/531773/30 "2010-03-11T22:22:14Z")
> [@Sidney Evgeni Jordan](#): > > Yeah, I should have mentioned in the OP that American idioms might differ from the rest of the world (e.g., places where baseball and American football aren’t popular.) It’s interesting to hear what the idioms are in other countries. I didn’t know that “hat trick” was an idiom from soccer/football and cricket. :o To me, it’s a hockey term (ice hockey). Cricket originally, I believe - a player for an all-English XI took three wickets in as many balls and a collection was taken up. He was bought a new hat with the proceeds, and this then became the default award for completing this feat. I think that there have only been about 35 in 133 years of test matches, so they’re not common. Three more: Hit for six Played with a dead bat/Dead-batted/Played it back to the bowler Retired to the pavilion ---
**Author:** ![Pray\_for\_peace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Pray\_for\_peace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pray_for_peace)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2010, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/full-court-press-phrases-words-borrowed-from-sports/531773/31 "2010-03-13T00:45:43Z")
I had to google “hit for six” and some of the other idioms from cricket. I did know sticky wicket, though. Google is failing me on “Played with a dead bat/Dead-batted/Played it back to the bowler” Apparently, “dead bat” is similar to a bunt in baseball, but can someone clarify what the idiom means outside of sports? > [@](#): > > Cricket has also left its mark on the language here are 5 common English phrases originating from the game of cricket. > > 1. To bowl over > meaning: To be astonished, greatly surprised and excited, left speechless. > Example: I saw U2 live in concert last month and I was bowled over by their performance. > meaning in cricket: You bowl (throw) the ball at the wicket (sticks) if you hit them the batsman must leave the field. > > 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. > Meaning in cricket: To hit the ball over the boundary without it bouncing on the ground (which gets six runs (points). > > 3. **A sticky wicket** > Meaning: A difficult situation > Example: “We only have 20 pounds to last us 'til the end of the month”, > “Yes, it’s a sticky wicket”. > Meaning in cricket: The wicket area (ground in fround of the stumps) has become sticky due to rain making in difficult to play on. > > 4. **It’s not cricket** > Meaning: to play unfairly or against the rules of fair play (cricket has a reputation as a gentlemen’s game played by honest people). > Example: “In order to get the job he lied about his experience and criticised the other candidates,” > “Yes, it’s not cricket” > > 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. > Meaning in cricket: To remove the bails in a game meaning the batsman is out (has to leave the game). Source: [LetThemTalk Paris: English Idioms from Cricket](http://letthemtalkparis.blogspot.com/2009/08/english-idioms-from-cricket.html) **up stumps and retire to the pavilion** - this seems to be equivalent to “let’s call it a day” - Stumps is used as a term to mean the end of a day’s play, e.g. “The umpires called stumps” means that the umpires declared play over for the day. At the end of a session, i.e. before lunch or tea, the umpires will remove the bails; at the end of the day’s play, the umpires will remove the stumps.” The pavilion is the particular building where the players will then go for refreshments. ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2010, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/full-court-press-phrases-words-borrowed-from-sports/531773/32 "2010-03-14T14:41:19Z")
Nope, I’m stumped for an answer. I’ll let someone else field it. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2010, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/full-court-press-phrases-words-borrowed-from-sports/531773/33 "2010-03-14T15:34:43Z")
“The Straight Dope” from horse racing. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/full-court-press-phrases-words-borrowed-from-sports/531773/34 "2010-03-15T15:40:49Z")
> [@Sidney Evgeni Jordan](#): > > I’m not sure “hat trick” counts because I don’t think Americans who aren’t hockey fans (or cricket fans, apparently) know that phrase refers to a unit of three. It’s also used in baseball, meaning a player who strikes out three times in one game. Four times is a “golden sombrero”. ---
**Author:** ![alsoknownas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ba9def/32.png) [@alsoknownas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alsoknownas)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/full-court-press-phrases-words-borrowed-from-sports/531773/35 "2010-03-15T16:12:24Z")
Can anybody tell me what it is about the left field in baseball that inspires the phrase ‘out of left field’? ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/full-court-press-phrases-words-borrowed-from-sports/531773/36 "2010-03-15T18:15:56Z")
> [@alsoknownas](#): > > Can anybody tell me what it is about the left field in baseball that inspires the phrase ‘out of left field’? The phrase is “way out _ **in** _ left field.” It refers to someone whose beliefs are far out of the mainstream. I’ve always suspected that it comes from schoolyard baseball, where they might put a poor defensive player to keep him as far from the action as possible. BTW, I’ve been a baseball fan for decades. I’ve seen many games on TV and have heard many others on radio. I read several baseball books a year. I had never heard the term “hat trick” applied to anything in baseball until now, nor had I heard of a “golden sombrero”. ---
**Author:** ![alsoknownas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ba9def/32.png) [@alsoknownas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alsoknownas)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2010, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/full-court-press-phrases-words-borrowed-from-sports/531773/37 "2010-03-15T19:33:46Z")
> [@Jeff\_Lichtman](#): > > The phrase is “way out _ **in** _ left field.” It refers to someone whose beliefs are far out of the mainstream. I’ve always suspected that it comes from schoolyard baseball, where they might put a poor defensive player to keep him as far from the action as possible. > > BTW, I’ve been a baseball fan for decades. I’ve seen many games on TV and have heard many others on radio. I read several baseball books a year. I had never heard the term “hat trick” applied to anything in baseball until now, nor had I heard of a “golden sombrero”. I’m sure in Britain people say ‘out of left-field’, but then most of us have never even seen a game of baseball :D. ---
**Author:** ![BigNik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/73ab20/32.png) [@BigNik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigNik)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2010, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/full-court-press-phrases-words-borrowed-from-sports/531773/38 "2010-03-16T01:37:30Z")
> [@Sidney Evgeni Jordan](#): > > I had to google “hit for six” and some of the other idioms from cricket. “Performed exceptionally well”. The equivalent in baseball would be hitting an home run. > [@](#): > > Google is failing me on “Played with a dead bat/Dead-batted/Played it back to the bowler” > Apparently, “dead bat” is similar to a bunt in baseball, but can someone clarify what the idiom means outside of sports? “Dealt with defensively, ensuring that - while there was no attempt to take advantage of the situation or turn it into a positive - the situation did not get worse.” ‘They started asking me about what caused the explosion, but I dead-batted it by saying that I couldn’t remember anything.’ ---
**Author:** ![SleepyDuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@SleepyDuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SleepyDuck)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 8:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/full-court-press-phrases-words-borrowed-from-sports/531773/39 "2010-03-22T08:47:11Z")
> [@Jeff\_Lichtman](#): > > The phrase is “way out _ **in** _ left field.” It refers to someone whose beliefs are far out of the mainstream. I’ve always suspected that it comes from schoolyard baseball, where they might put a poor defensive player to keep him as far from the action as possible. Problem is, right-handed batters tend to hit towards left field, and there are more righties than lefties, so if you have a non-athletic player that league rules force you to play at least two innings a game, you stick him in _right field_ (AKA the Siberia of little league baseball). Ideally, left fielders should at least have some arm strength, because it’s a lot harder to throw to first base from left field than from right. Oh, and more on topic: Southpaw for a wrong-handed person, although you rarely hear it nowadays. ---
**Author:** ![Pray\_for\_peace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Pray\_for\_peace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pray_for_peace)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/full-court-press-phrases-words-borrowed-from-sports/531773/40 "2010-03-22T20:35:55Z")
> [@SleepyDuck](#): > > Problem is, right-handed batters tend to hit towards left field, and there are more righties than lefties, so if you have a non-athletic player that league rules force you to play at least two innings a game, you stick him in _right field_ (AKA the Siberia of little league baseball). Ideally, left fielders should at least have some arm strength, because it’s a lot harder to throw to first base from left field than from right. Right field is so much the Siberia of little league and rec leagues that some of the more talented hitters will deliberately place their hits to right field, expecting that the weakest fielder will play there. In those leagues, a right fielder who has a good arm and can actually catch and field ground balls can be a bit of a secret weapon. -Sidney, out in right field 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/full-court-press-phrases-words-borrowed-from-sports/531773.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/full-court-press-phrases-words-borrowed-from-sports/531773.md?page=3)