Definition?
At this stage of the game ...
At this time.
"Nobody knows who is going to win the election at this stage in the game."
Jump the gun
Track.
To start too early.
"I guess I jumped the gun by buying Pam and Steve a wedding gift. They called off the engagement."
"During the first week on the job, you will just be learning the ...."
"During the first week on the job, you will just be learning the ropes."
To learn or understand new things.
Sailing
"Do you think I should accept the job offer?"
"Don't ask me. The ball is in your ....".
"Do you think I should accept the job offer?"
"Don't ask me. The ball is in your court now".
Tennis
Chip in
To help by donating money or time.
"If we all chipped in, we could afford an airbnb for the trip."
Gambling
To get off the hook
To escape, have responsibility removed.
"The child got off the hook for stealing because the security camera was broken."
Fishing.
Blindsided
(American) football.
To not see something coming.
"George blind-sided Eric with his fist at the bar."
"It's time you .... up to the plate and apologized for your mistake."
"It's time you stepped up to the plate and apologized for your mistake."
To do the honorable thing, take responsibility, or do what needs to be done.
Baseball
"Sorry, I can't go to the movies today, but I'd love to take a rain ...."
"Sorry, I can't go to the movies today, but I'd love to take a rain check."
To accept at a later time.
Baseball
Hit below the belt
To do or say something that is very unfair or cruel.
"Amanda was hitting below the belt when she called Adrian an unfit father."
Boxing/other combat sports.
Throw in the towel
To give up.
"If they don't accept our offer this time we are going to throw in the towel and look at houses elsewhere."
Boxing
Take the bull by the horns
Bullfighting
Accept the challenge and try your hardest.
"Even though this new job will mean relocating, I think you should take the bull by the horns for once."
"I couldn't prevent myself from explaining her absence any longer, but then Jill showed up and I was saved by the ....”
"I couldn't prevent myself from explaining her absence any longer, but then Jill showed up and I was saved by the bell.”
When something happens at the last possible moment that allows you to escape from a difficult situation.
Boxing
"I think Alice's pregnancy is in the home ...."
"I think Alice's pregnancy is in the home stretch."
Baseball/Horse racing
Hotshot (big shot)
An important or very successful person.
"All the hot shots from Silicon Valley were invited to meet the president."
Hunting
Take the wind out of one's sails
To make someone feel deflated.
"I think I took the wind out of Angela's sails when I told her she was a terrible singer."
Sailing
Shot in the dark
Hunting
A guess.
"I was lucky to win the quiz. All my answers were shots in the dark."
"The army claims the rebels are .... the ropes."
"The army claims the rebels are on the ropes."
Close to losing or in trouble.
Boxing
"When I met Jack, I was on the ...."
"When I met Jack, I was on the rebound."
When someone has just been broken up with and they immediately jump into another (unfulfilling) relationship.
Basketball
Wildcard
Something or someone unpredictable.
"The joker is a wild card."
Gambling
Not playing with a full deck
To not have total brain capacity.
I think Jerry was still drunk at work on Sunday because he wasn't playing with a full deck.
Cards.
Out of left field
Baseball
Strange, very unconventional; completely wrong.
"All of the students laughed when Joe gave an answer that was out in left field."
"Waiting in line is par for the .... at Christmas time."
"Waiting in line is par for the course at Christmas time."
An expected circumstance or outcome.
Golf
"I'd like to date Maria, but I'm afraid she's out of my ....."
"I'd like to date Maria, but I'm afraid she's out of my league."
When someone or something is too good or expensive for someone to have.
Any team sport
To be off base
Not making a fair or true remark.
"You were way off base when you said Bill needed to lose weight."
Baseball