This lesson practises 30 C2 collocations on Sport, Exercise & Competition. Collocations are fixed word pairings that native speakers expect — Cambridge examiners test them in Use of English Part 1 and reward precise lexis in Writing. Run through the interactive drills first, then open this glossary to revise every item in the set. For question-by-question feedback, use Review mode after you finish the session.
keep in shape
The swimmer trains every morning to keep in shape.
season ticket
At a pre-match briefing, the match report featured the season ticket.
do extreme sports
In a pre-match briefing, the athlete will do extreme sports.
daunting task
At a pre-match briefing, the match report featured the daunting task.
city bus
The team travelled to the stadium on a city bus.
go wild
In a pre-match briefing, the athlete will go wild.
the latest scores
At a pre-match briefing, the match report featured the latest scores.
score an own goal
In a pre-match briefing, the athlete will score an own goal.
win the battle
In a pre-match briefing, the athlete will win the battle.
improve physical endurance
In a pre-match briefing, the athlete will improve physical endurance.
put his back into the final sprint
The runner put his back into the final sprint.
jump at the chance
In a pre-match briefing, the athlete will jump at the chance.
pass up a chance
In a pre-match briefing, the athlete will pass up a chance.
team effort
At a pre-match briefing, the match report featured the team effort.
have the chance
In a pre-match briefing, the athlete will have the chance.
go to any trouble
The host went to any trouble to make the guests feel welcome.
set to work
In a pre-match briefing, the athlete will set to work.
put the host to any trouble
We hope we did not put the host to any trouble with the booking.
reach fever pitch
In a pre-match briefing, the athlete will reach fever pitch.
miss a penalty
In a pre-match briefing, the athlete will miss a penalty.
secure a place in the final
The athlete trained hard to secure a place in the final.
call off a match
The referee had to call off the match because of heavy rain.
flurry of activity
At a pre-match briefing, the match report featured the flurry of activity.
break a task down
In a pre-match briefing, the athlete will break a task down.
run up curtains
In a pre-match briefing, the athlete will run up curtains.
run errands
In a pre-match briefing, the athlete will run errands.
free kick
At a pre-match briefing, the match report featured the free kick.
slim chance
At a pre-match briefing, the match report featured the slim chance.
have an experience
In a pre-match briefing, the athlete will have an experience.
precious little chance
At a pre-match briefing, the match report featured the precious little chance.