across the board
- applying to everybody or everything (in horse racing this is a bet where an equal amount of money is placed on a horse to finish in any top winning position)
The workers received an across-the-board wage increase and most of them are happy.
arrow in one's quiver
- one of a number of resources or strategies that one can follow
The man's ability with languages was another arrow in his quiver and helped him in his business life.
at this stage of the game
- at this point or time during an activity
At this stage of the game, I do not think that we should spend more money on the project.
back the wrong horse
- to make the wrong choice, to support the wrong thing (from horse racing)
We backed the wrong horse in the school election and we were very surprised at the winner.
ball is in (someone's) court
- it is up to this person to make the next move (from tennis or a similar game)
We made an offer to buy the business and now the ball is in the owner's court to accept our offer or not.
ballpark estimate/figure
-a guess that is in a certain area or range, an approximate guess
We had a ballpark estimate about how much it would cost to buy the business.
bat a thousand
- to be successful in everything that you do
The salesman was batting a thousand during his sales trip to Europe.
beat the gun
- to do something before the ending signal of a game etc.
We were able to beat the gun and make our application to get the free basketball tickets.
behind the eight ball
- at a disadvantage (the black ball is number eight in the game of pool and is the last ball that you try to put in a pocket - if you are behind it then you are at a disadvantage)
Our friend was behind the eight ball when he discovered that he was the last person to register for his classes.
beyond one's depth
- in water that is too deep, doing something that is too difficult for one's ability
The manager's were beyond their depth when they chose to pick a fight with the union.
blow-by-blow account/description
- a description or account that provides much detail (originally from the sport of boxing)
I gave my friend a blow-by-blow account of the fight last night.
blow the whistle on (someone)
- to reveal information about someone (from sports where the referee blows a whistle when someone does something wrong)
The secretary blew the whistle on her boss after he wasted much money in his department.
bounce (something) off (someone)
- to test someone's reaction to an idea (when a ball is thrown against a wall it bounces back to the thrower)
I bounced my idea for a new restaurant off my friend.
call the shots
- to control something, to make the rules (from calling the shots in billiards or pool)
My friend has been calling the shots in his company for several years now.
carry the ball
- to be in charge of something, to be responsible for something (from carrying the ball in American football)
The director let his assistant carry the ball on the assignment for the new sale's contract.
choose sides
- to choose from a group of people or players to be on opposing sides of a debate/fight/game
We had to choose sides before we played the game.
clear a hurdle
- to overcome an obstacle (from a hurdle in a track and field race)
We finally cleared a major hurdle in our effort to get a business license to sell our products.
come in a close second
- to almost be chosen first for something (in a race a runner may miss coming in first by a very small amount)
The politician came in a close second in the election.
come out of left field
- to be completely unexpected, to be a surprise (from the game of baseball)
My friend's idea about going to Spain came out of left field.
cover all of one's bases
- to thoroughly prepare for or deal with a situation (this is from the game of baseball where you must cover or protect the bases)
The man covered all of his bases before going to the job interview and performed very well.
(be) cricket
- to play fair, to use gentlemanly conduct (usually used in the negative)
The way that the government treated the union leader was not cricket.
dive in headfirst
- to do something impulsively without thinking about the consequences
The man likes to dive in headfirst with anything that he does.
dive right into (something)
- to begin to do something without hesitating (some swimmers like to dive right in without checking the temperature of the water)
Many of the students decided to dive right into their studies when university started.
double-header
- two games (usually baseball) that are played one after the other and are played in front of the same crowd
We were tired after watching a double-header last night.
down for the count
- defeated, unconscious (in boxing a boxer who is on the ground must get up before the count of ten or he will lose the boxing match)
The political candidate was down for the count when no major figures supported him.
down to the wire
- at the very last moment, very close to the time when something is due (from the wire at the end of a horse race)
The election went down to the wire but the candidate was re-elected to another term in office.
draw first blood
- to gain the first point or advantage in a contest (often in boxing or fighting with swords)
The heavyweight champion drew first blood in the boxing match but in the end he was defeated by his opponent.
drop the ball
- to make an error or mistake, to handle things badly
The government dropped the ball with its decision to expand the airport runway without consulting the local residents.