VOCABULARY - IDIOMS

beat someone at their own game

Meaning: to outdo someone using their own methods, tactics or specialty.

a lost ball in the weeds

Meaning: The phrase a lost ball in the weeds refers to a person who is completely lost or confused and does not know what they are doing, how to do it or possibly even where they are.

a whole new ball game

Meaning: a completely different situation.

as bald as a cue ball

Meaning: completely bald.

back in the game

Meaning: The phrase back in the game means resuming an action after an absence.

ball of fire

Meaning: a person who is especially hard-working, high-achieving, ambitious, or active.

ball someone or something up

Meaning: To make a mess of, destroy or ruin; to interfere with someone or something.; To roll something up into a ball.

ball-breaker

Meaning: This refers either to a job or situation that is demanding and arduous and punishing or to a demanding woman who destroys men's confidence.

be new to the game

Meaning: The phrase to be new to the game is an idiomatic expression that refers to a lack of experience in a particular activity.

be on the ball

Meaning: to be well-informed and respond promptly.

beat a retreat

Meaning: to leave hastily in the face of opposition.

beat oneself up

Meaning: If you beat yourself up, you constantly criticize or question yourself, usually about something that you cannot change.

beats me

Meaning: I don't know; I have no idea.

carry the ball

Meaning: to take charge and control of an activity and be considered reliable enough to do a job.

come down on somebody like a ton of bricks

Meaning: to hit or punish somebody.

come from behind

Meaning: to win after being in a losing position in a game.

come to blows

Meaning: to have fight or an argument with someone.

empty the tank

Meaning: The phrase empty the tank means to make the utmost effort; to contribute to the absolute limit of one's energy and abilities.

fall at the final hurdle

Meaning: If you fall at the final hurdle, you fail to accomplish something near the end of your attempt.

fall at the first hurdle

Meaning: If you fall at the first hurdle, you fail to accomplish something at the very beginning of the attempt.

hop, skip, and a jump

Meaning: If a place is a hop, skip, and a jump, it is only a short distance away.

in a dead heat

Meaning: said when two or more competitors finish a race or a competition at exactly the same time or with exactly the same result.

it beats me

Meaning: used to suggest that you don't understand something.

keep one's eye on the ball

Meaning: to remain alert to the events occurring around oneself.

play ball

Meaning: to cooperate and agree to work with others.

play hardball with someone

Meaning: The phrase to play hardball with someone means to act rough and ruthless with someone.

run amok

Meaning: To behave in a frenzied and out-of-control manner.

run ragged

Meaning: If you are run ragged, you are completely tired of excessive effort or work.

set the ball rolling

Meaning: start something, especially a conversation or a social event.

swim against the tide

Meaning: The phrase swim against the tide means to do something that is in opposition to the prevailing opinion or tendency.

that beats everything

Meaning: expressions of surprise.

the ball is in someone's court

Meaning: When the ball is in someone's court they have to take action.

throw in the towel

Meaning: to admit defeat.

track record

Meaning: The phrase a track record is an idiomatic expression that refers to a person or organization's past performance in any type of endeavor.

wait for the ball to drop

Meaning: To wait in expectation of an occurrence.

walk the talk

Meaning: To do what one said one could do, or would do, not just making empty promises.

weekend warrior

Meaning: A person who indulges in a sport or pastime on an infrequent basis, usually on weekends when work commitments are not present.

what beats me

Meaning: said when you do not understand a situation or someone's behaviour.