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.
get the red card
Receive official criticism or be sent away for bad behaviour.
While taking part in a conversation about competition, the speaker highlighted “get the red card”, which means “Receive official criticism or be sent away for bad behaviour”.
play your [ace/trump] card
Use a special advantage at the best moment.
While taking part in a post-match discussion, the speaker highlighted “play your [ace/trump] card”, which means “Use a special advantage at the best moment”.
go down like a lead balloon
Be received very badly.
In a sports-analysis workshop, participants used “go down like a lead balloon” to communicate this idea: “Be received very badly”.
the dice are loaded against
Someone is unlikely to succeed because conditions are unfair.
In a post-match discussion, “the dice are loaded against” was explained as an expression meaning “Someone is unlikely to succeed because conditions are unfair”.
fall from grace
Lose respect, popularity or a high position.
In a coaching session, “fall from grace” was explained as an expression meaning “Lose respect, popularity or a high position”.
that's all we need
An extra bad thing in an already bad situation.
During a sports-analysis workshop, the facilitator introduced “that's all we need”, an expression meaning “An extra bad thing in an already bad situation”.
a level playing field
A situation in which everyone has the same opportunity to succeed.
During a sports-analysis workshop, the facilitator introduced “a level playing field”, an expression meaning “A situation in which everyone has the same opportunity to succeed”.
play [someone] for a fool
Trick someone and make them look foolish.
During a coaching session, the trainer referred to “play [someone] for a fool”, a useful expression for the idea “Trick someone and make them look foolish”.
[keep/play] your cards close to your chest
Keep your plans secret.
In a conversation about competition, “[keep/play] your cards close to your chest” was explained as an expression meaning “Keep your plans secret”.
play your cards close to your chest
Keep your plans secret.
In a coaching session, participants used “play your cards close to your chest” to communicate this idea: “Keep your plans secret”.
beat [someone/something] hands down
Defeat someone or something easily.
In a conversation about competition, participants used “beat [someone/something] hands down” to communicate this idea: “Defeat someone or something easily”.
dice with death
Take a very great risk.
During a sports-analysis workshop, the trainer referred to “dice with death”, a useful expression for the idea “Take a very great risk”.
it's not cricket
It is not fair or morally right.
During a coaching session, the facilitator introduced “it's not cricket”, an expression meaning “It is not fair or morally right”.
a whole new ball game
A completely different situation.
In a post-match discussion, “a whole new ball game” was explained as an expression meaning “A completely different situation”.
play into [someone's] hands
Do something that helps an opponent.
In a post-match discussion, participants used “play into [someone's] hands” to communicate this idea: “Do something that helps an opponent”.
the game's up
The situation is over; a secret or plan has been exposed.
In a conversation about competition, participants used “the game's up” to communicate this idea: “The situation is over; a secret or plan has been exposed”.
play gooseberry
Be an unwanted third person with a couple.
While taking part in a sports-analysis workshop, the speaker highlighted “play gooseberry”, which means “Be an unwanted third person with a couple”.
if you can't beat'em, join'em
If you cannot defeat a group, join it.
During a post-match discussion, the trainer referred to “if you can't beat'em, join'em”, a useful expression for the idea “If you cannot defeat a group, join it”.
be batting a thousand
Be doing extremely well.
While taking part in a coaching session, the speaker highlighted “be batting a thousand”, which means “Be doing extremely well”.
drop the ball
Make a careless mistake.
During a post-match discussion, the facilitator introduced “drop the ball”, an expression meaning “Make a careless mistake”.
the dice are loaded against [someone]
Someone is unlikely to succeed because conditions are unfair.
While taking part in a coaching session, the speaker highlighted “the dice are loaded against [someone]”, which means “Someone is unlikely to succeed because conditions are unfair”.
play to the gallery
Act to win public approval rather than for good reasons.
In a sports-analysis workshop, “play to the gallery” was explained as an expression meaning “Act to win public approval rather than for good reasons”.
[someone's/something's] days are numbered
Will not exist or continue for much longer.
During a conversation about competition, the trainer referred to “[someone's/something's] days are numbered”, a useful expression for the idea “Will not exist or continue for much longer”.
throw in the sponge
Admit defeat and give up.
During a sports-analysis workshop, the trainer referred to “throw in the sponge”, a useful expression for the idea “Admit defeat and give up”.
play second fiddle
Have a less important role than someone else.
During a conversation about competition, the facilitator introduced “play second fiddle”, an expression meaning “Have a less important role than someone else”.