Sports & Competition

American slang from sports culture that has entered everyday language

はじめに

スポーツはアメリカ文化の中心であり、スポーツスラングは日常のアメリカ英語にも浸透しています。誰かを「GOAT」と呼んだり、「clutch」なプレーをしたと言ったり——スポーツの比喩はアメリカの会話のあらゆるところに存在します。

この章では、フットボール、バスケットボール、野球などのスポーツから生まれ、一般的なアメリカ英語の一部になったスラングを紹介します。

テーマ

この章のアメリカ英語スラング一覧（86）

• Slam dunk Something that is a guaranteed success or an easy, sure thing.
• Game changer Something or someone that fundamentally alters a situation, competition, or w...
• Monday morning quarterback Someone who criticizes decisions after the fact, when the outcome is already ...
• Hail Mary A desperate, last-ditch attempt with little chance of success.
• Bench (someone) To remove someone from active participation, or to sideline them.
• Drop the ball To make a mistake or fail to follow through on a responsibility.
• Curveball An unexpected surprise or challenge that catches someone off guard.
• Step up to the plate To take responsibility, accept a challenge, or volunteer for a difficult task.
• Home run A great success or outstanding achievement.
• Strike out To fail completely, especially after multiple attempts.
• Touchdown An exclamation of success or victory, celebrating an achievement.
• Buzzer beater Something accomplished at the very last possible moment.
• In the zone Being in a state of peak focus and performance where everything flows effortl...
• Full-court press An aggressive, all-out effort to achieve something.
• Ballpark (figure) A rough estimate or approximate number.
• Punt To give up on something, postpone a decision, or pass responsibility to someo...
• Heavy hitter A powerful, influential, or important person.
• Rookie mistake An error that a beginner or inexperienced person would make.
• Playbook A set of strategies, tactics, or established methods for handling situations.
• Out of left field Completely unexpected, surprising, or seemingly random.
• Front-runner The person or thing currently leading in a competition or race.
• On the ropes In serious trouble, near defeat, or struggling to survive.
• Down for the count Completely defeated, exhausted, or knocked out of action.
• Underdog A competitor who is expected to lose but may have a chance of winning.
• Upset (sports) When a weaker or lower-ranked competitor defeats a stronger, favored opponent.
• Trash talk Taunting, boasting, or insulting an opponent to gain a psychological edge.
• Blowout A game or competition that is completely one-sided, with a huge margin of vic...
• Go the distance To complete something fully, endure to the end, or see something through.
• Move the goalposts To unfairly change the rules or criteria after someone has already begun tryi...
• In someone's corner Supporting someone, being on their side, having their back.
• Par for the course Typical, expected, or normal — nothing surprising.
• Below the belt Unfair, cruel, or hitting someone where it hurts most.
• Knock it out of the park To do an exceptional job, to succeed spectacularly.
• On the sidelines Not actively participating; watching from the outside.
• Level playing field A situation where everyone has an equal chance of succeeding; fair conditions...
• The whole nine yards Everything, the full amount, going all the way.
• Fumble To mess up an opportunity, especially through clumsiness or carelessness.
• Huddle up To gather together for a quick meeting or discussion.
• Run interference To intervene on someone's behalf, blocking obstacles or distractions for them.
• Game plan A strategy or plan of action for achieving a goal.
• Play hardball To be tough, aggressive, and uncompromising in negotiations or competition.
• Long shot Something with a very low probability of success but still worth trying.
• Throw in the towel To give up, quit, or surrender.
• Get the ball rolling To start something, to initiate action or progress.
• Saved by the bell Rescued from a difficult situation at the very last moment.
• Take one for the team To make a personal sacrifice for the benefit of the group.
• From the get-go From the very beginning, from the start.
• Sucker punch An unexpected attack or blow that catches someone completely off guard.
• Play ball To cooperate, agree to participate, or get started on something.
• Down to the wire Coming down to the very last moment; extremely close to a deadline or finish.
• Pickup game An informal, spontaneous game organized on the spot, without referees or offi...
• Rain check A polite way to decline something now while expressing intent to do it later.
• Call the shots To be the one making the decisions; to be in charge.
• Go to bat for To defend or support someone; to advocate on their behalf.
• On the defensive Reacting to attacks or criticism rather than taking initiative; being protect...
• Armchair quarterback Someone who criticizes or offers opinions from the comfort of their couch, wi...
• Keep your eye on the ball Stay focused on what's important; don't get distracted.
• Hat trick Three successes or achievements in a row.
• Roll with the punches To adapt to difficult situations; to handle adversity with flexibility.
• Double down To commit even more strongly to a position, strategy, or bet, especially when...
• Wild card An unpredictable person or element that could change the outcome of a situation.
• Hole in one A perfect result achieved on the first try.
• On deck Next in line; ready and waiting for your turn.
• Dunk on To thoroughly humiliate, defeat, or embarrass someone, especially publicly.
• The ball is in your court It's your turn to take action or make a decision.
• Pinch hitter A substitute or replacement who steps in for someone else.
• Out of your league Beyond your level of ability, status, or attractiveness; above your class.
• Right off the bat Immediately, right away, from the very start.
• Major league Big-time, serious, important, or at the highest level.
• Touch base To briefly check in or make contact with someone.
• Southpaw A left-handed person, especially a left-handed pitcher or boxer.
• No pain, no gain Success requires suffering or hard work; nothing worthwhile comes easy.
• Get in the game To start participating actively, to stop being passive and take action.
• Ace (to ace) To perform perfectly, to get the highest possible score or result.
• Grand slam An overwhelming, complete success; the best possible outcome.
• Layup Something very easy; a guaranteed success with minimal effort.
• Rally To recover from a setback and come back strong; to summon energy after feelin...
• Sore loser Someone who reacts badly to losing, showing anger, bitterness, or poor sports...
• Blindsided Hit or attacked from an unexpected direction; completely caught off guard.
• Nothing but net A perfect execution with no flaws; a clean, precise success.
• Pass the baton To hand off responsibility or leadership to the next person.
• Neck and neck Extremely close in a competition, with neither side having a clear advantage.
• Game over It's finished; there's no more chance; the situation is hopeless.
• Level up To improve, advance, or take something to the next level.
• Game on An enthusiastic declaration that a competition or challenge has begun.
• MVP performance An exceptional effort or outstanding execution of a task.