Modern school

Sports Vocabulary Pronunciation


versus/v – against, used to denote competing teams or players in a sports contest

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   The final of the men’s tennis championship was Nadal versus Federer. to compete – to take part in a competition or sports event
   

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   Jolene was so excited about competing in her first professional golf competition. competitive – involving competition; wanting very much to win or be more successful than other people
   

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   Danny was very competitive and trained harder than anyone else in the effort to be the best hurdler at his county.
   

league – a group of sports teams who take part in competitions between each other over a period of time

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   If they won the next game, they would end the season top of the league.
   

to score – to get a point or goal in a game or sport

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   Baz scored in the last minute of the match and won the game for his team. the score – how many points an individual or team has
   

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   The final score was 3-1 to the home side so there was much celebration in the town that evening.
   

a draw – when two competitors or teams get the same score

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   When the final whistle blew the score was 34-34 so the basketball match was
   
1. 
   draw.
   

reserve – an extra player who is ready to play if needed

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   Narong was pleased to be selected as a reserve but really hoped he’d have a chance to play.
   

to drop out – to not do something that you were going to do, or to stop doing something before you have finished

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   She was leading the race until she pulled a muscle and had to drop out in the third lap.
   

to pull out – to withdraw before an event or competition

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   The crew had to pull out of the regatta after they all fell ill with a stomach bug. injury – when part of the body is damaged or hurt
   
1. 
   Lena was favourite to win the golf tournament until she picked up a
   

shoulder injury.

season – a period of the year when a particular sport is played
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   I love it when the cricket season comes round each year as it means that summer has finally arrived.
   

a season ticket – an entry ticket for all of a team’s home games during a specific season

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   For my thirtieth birthday, my family bought me a season ticket to watch my favourite soccer team play.
   

amateur – a person who engages in a pursuit, especially a sport, on an unpaid basis

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   Although he only played rugby in an amateur team, it was his dream to turn professional one day.
   

professional – a person is paid for playing a sport

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   Professional racing drivers get paid vast sums of money.
   

Set 8: Sports idioms


blow away the competition – to easily beat the opposing competitor or team

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   I thought it was going to be a challenging race but he blew away the competition. neck and neck – when two competitors are level with each other and have an equal chance of winning
   

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   Coming down the home straight, the two front-runners were neck and neck until Yoshi edged ahead as they reached the finish line.
   

front-runner – the person or team considered most likely to win

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   There were some excellent gymnasts in the competition but Nadia was definitely the front-runner and the one to beat.
   

to get second wind – to experience renewed energy after a period of fatigue

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   He began to struggle in the final stages of the marathon but hearing the crowd cheer him on, he got second wind and finished in the top twenty.
   

underdog – a competitor thought to have little chance of doing well or winning

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   The British skiing team were definitely the underdogs in the competition so everyone was shocked when they got third place.