This lesson trains 25 C2 idioms on Sport, Games & Competition. Idioms signal fluency when used naturally — forcing them into every sentence hurts your score. Practise in the runner first, then revisit every expression in the glossary. Review mode after completion shows how each idiom fits its context.
neck and neck
Equal or very close in a competition.
During a conversation about competition, the trainer referred to “neck and neck”, a useful expression for the idea “Equal or very close in a competition”.
play dirty
Use unfair or dishonest methods.
In a conversation about competition, participants used “play dirty” to communicate this idea: “Use unfair or dishonest methods”.
play the game
Follow the expected rules.
In a conversation about competition, “play the game” was explained as an expression meaning “Follow the expected rules”.
take your eye off the ball
Stop paying attention to an important matter.
During a coaching session, the trainer referred to “take your eye off the ball”, a useful expression for the idea “Stop paying attention to an important matter”.
move the goalposts
Change rules unfairly during a process.
In a coaching session, participants used “move the goalposts” to communicate this idea: “Change rules unfairly during a process”.
win by a landslide
Win by a very large majority.
In a coaching session, participants used “win by a landslide” to communicate this idea: “Win by a very large majority”.
an own goal
An action that harms your own interests.
During a conversation about competition, the facilitator introduced “an own goal”, an expression meaning “An action that harms your own interests”.
play hardball
Use aggressive or unfair methods to get what you want.
While taking part in a conversation about competition, the speaker highlighted “play hardball”, which means “Use aggressive or unfair methods to get what you want”.
poker-faced
Showing no emotion.
While taking part in a sports-analysis workshop, the speaker highlighted “poker-faced”, which means “Showing no emotion”.
the name of the game
The most important aim or principle.
During a conversation about competition, the facilitator introduced “the name of the game”, an expression meaning “The most important aim or principle”.
play God
Act as if you have the right to control life or major decisions.
In a coaching session, “play God” was explained as an expression meaning “Act as if you have the right to control life or major decisions”.
two can play at that game
I can use the same unfair methods against you.
In a sports-analysis workshop, “two can play at that game” was explained as an expression meaning “I can use the same unfair methods against you”.
play [a/the] waiting game
Delay action while waiting for something.
In a post-match discussion, “play [a/the] waiting game” was explained as an expression meaning “Delay action while waiting for something”.
win hands down
Win easily.
During a conversation about competition, the trainer referred to “win hands down”, a useful expression for the idea “Win easily”.
hold all the cards
Be in the strongest position.
While taking part in a post-match discussion, the speaker highlighted “hold all the cards”, which means “Be in the strongest position”.
play it cool
Act calm and hide your interest or feelings.
In a sports-analysis workshop, participants used “play it cool” to communicate this idea: “Act calm and hide your interest or feelings”.
play it safe
Avoid taking risks.
During a post-match discussion, the trainer referred to “play it safe”, a useful expression for the idea “Avoid taking risks”.
play for time
Delay so that you can gain an advantage.
During a sports-analysis workshop, the trainer referred to “play for time”, a useful expression for the idea “Delay so that you can gain an advantage”.
given half a chance
If given the opportunity.
In a sports-analysis workshop, “given half a chance” was explained as an expression meaning “If given the opportunity”.
punch-drunk
Tired and confused after too much activity.
In a post-match discussion, participants used “punch-drunk” to communicate this idea: “Tired and confused after too much activity”.
pack a punch
Have a strong effect or impact.
During a sports-analysis workshop, the facilitator introduced “pack a punch”, an expression meaning “Have a strong effect or impact”.
play [someone] at their own game
Use someone's own methods against them.
During a coaching session, the facilitator introduced “play [someone] at their own game”, an expression meaning “Use someone's own methods against them”.
play games
Behave in a manipulative or unserious way.
During a post-match discussion, the facilitator introduced “play games”, an expression meaning “Behave in a manipulative or unserious way”.
water under the bridge
Past problems that should be forgotten.
While taking part in a post-match discussion, the speaker highlighted “water under the bridge”, which means “Past problems that should be forgotten”.
play cat and mouse
Try to control or deceive someone in a playful way.
While taking part in a coaching session, the speaker highlighted “play cat and mouse”, which means “Try to control or deceive someone in a playful way”.