1. A Sporting Chance Neil McMahon ABS Challenge Your English Sunday 25 th March 2012

2. Let’s set sail: A Sporting Chance sail overboard ride berth ship wind rope waves bail tack sheet

3. Give that boy a wide _____. He’s bad news. Give that boy a wide _____. He’s bad news. Let’s set sail: A Sporting Chance Laura always runs a tight _____. Laura always runs a tight _____. He didn't get a good evaluation. It really took the_____ out of his _____. He didn't get a good evaluation. It really took the_____ out of his _____. Don't go _____ on decorations for the party. Don't go _____ on decorations for the party. The prime minister decided to_____out the scandal. The prime minister decided to_____out the scandal. sail overboard ride berth ship wind berth ship overboard ride wind sails

4. Let’s set sail: A Sporting Chance He _____ through that assignment. He _____ through that assignment. You'll soon learn the _____of this job. You'll soon learn the _____of this job. Don't make ______ for the boss. She is under pressure. Don't make ______ for the boss. She is under pressure. He's seven _____ to the _____. Who's the designated driver? He's seven _____ to the _____. Who's the designated driver? Let's take a new _____ to the problem. We aren't getting a solution. Let's take a new _____ to the problem. We aren't getting a solution. sail rope waves bail tack sheet wind tack sheets wind sailed ropes waves The government is ______ out the savings and loan banks The government is ______ out the savings and loan banks bailing

5. Baseball A Sporting Chance

6. Let's play ball!

7. A Sporting Chance Let's play ball! the plate loaded bases a rain check first base the minor leagues a ball park a curve ball a pitch

8. A Sporting Chance Let's play ball! the plate loaded bases a rain check first base the minor leagues a ball park a curve ball a pitch

9. A Sporting Chance He made a good pitch for the party at last night’s dinner.

10. A Sporting Chance He threw me a curve ball when he asked me about the figures.

11. A Sporting Chance I need a ball park figure on what it will cost.

12. A Sporting Chance Go to the big boss; that bloke’s a minor leaguer

13. A Sporting Chance I wish I could get to first base with her.

14. A Sporting Chance We sure dropped the ball that time.

15. A Sporting Chance We need to play hardball this time.

16. A Sporting Chance Do you mind if we take a rain check on that dinner?

17. A Sporting Chance Our bases are loaded. We should win hands down.

18. A Sporting Chance I need to touch base with the missus.

19. A Sporting Chance We need someone to step up to the plate or we’re done for.

20. It’s just not cricket A Sporting Chance

21. It’s just not cricket A Sporting Chance

22. It’s just not cricket A Sporting Chance 1. To be bowled over meaning: To be astonished, greatly surprised and excited, left speechless. Example: I saw Morrissey live in concert last month and I was bowled over by his performance.

23. It’s just not cricket A Sporting Chance 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.

24. It’s just not cricket A Sporting Chance 3. A sticky wicket Meaning: A difficult situation Example: 3."If she carries on like this she won’t pass the year and will have to repeat", "Yes, she’s really on a sticky wicket."

25. It’s just not cricket A Sporting Chance 4. It's not cricket Meaning: to play unfairly or against the rules of fair play Example: "In order to get the job he lied about his experience and criticised the other candidates," “But that’s just not cricket"

26. It’s just not cricket A Sporting Chance 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.

27. Play or Pass – Card playing idioms A Sporting Chance keep your cards close to your chest have the cards piled against you put your cards on the table force someone’s hand follow trumps an ace up your sleeve on the cards when the cards are down hedge your bets above board dealt a bad card come up trumps come within a joker of in spadesup the ante hold all the aces

28. Play or Pass – Card playing idioms A Sporting Chance keep your cards close to your chest have the cards piled against you put your cards on the table force someone’s hand follow trumps an ace up your sleeve on the cards when the cards are down hedge your bets above board dealt a bad card come up trumps come within a joker of in spadesup the ante hold all the aces have the cards stacked against you have the cards stacked against you when the chips are down when the chips are down dealt a bad hand dealt a bad hand come within an ace of come within an ace of follow suit

29. 1.the ball is in your court A Sporting Chance tennis

30. 2. you’re barking up the wrong tree A Sporting Chance hunting

31. A Sporting Chance 3. she calls the shots pool / billiards

32. A Sporting Chance 4. we all chipped in cards

33. A Sporting Chance 5. it’s going down to the wire horse racing

34. A Sporting Chance 6. you’ll soon get into the swing of things tennis

35. A Sporting Chance 7. he’s off the hook fishing

36. A Sporting Chance 8. they gave us a run for our money horse racing

37. A Sporting Chance 9. don’t jump the gun track

38. A Sporting Chance 10. she’s just about keeping her head above water swimming

39. A Sporting Chance 11. it’s never been a level playing field field sports

40. A Sporting Chance 12. he might not make the cut golf

41. A Sporting Chance 13. it’s neck and neck horse racing

42. A Sporting Chance 14. it’s no sweat off my nose boxing

43. A Sporting Chance 15. that sounds par for the course golf

44. A Sporting Chance 16. there’s plenty of other fish in the sea fishing

45. A Sporting Chance 17. it was a bit of a shot in the dark hunting

46. A Sporting Chance 18. he’s skating on thin ice if you ask me skating

47. A Sporting Chance 19. I’m never going to throw in the towel boxing

48. A Sporting Chance 20. she’ll win hands down, just you wait cards

49. A Sporting Chance ABS Challenge Your English Sunday 25 th March 2012 Thanks for coming – keep in touch! Neil McMahon @mcneilmahon amuseamuses.wordpress.com neil@ih-buenosaires.com