Sports Idioms
Also a pitch in baseball, it means to surprise someone with a sudden problem, a tricky question, or a big change in plans that is hard to handle
"Curveball"
After winning the Stanley Cup 4 times with the Edmonton Oilers, and leading the league multiple times in goals and assists, Wayne Gretzky earned this appropriate nickname
'The Great One'
Our family compares this athlete from the Head and Shoulders commercials to Rory
Troy Polamalu
This movie, although now deemed controversial, centres around a black boy living in poverty who is eventually adopted into a white family who houses him, supports his education, and helps him become an NFL star
The Blind Side
The 'Phanatic' - a bright green, fuzzy mascot, famous for riding an ATV on the field, is the mascot for this team
Philadelphia Phillies
You might say this phrase when giving up, admitting defeat or if you stopped trying after a hard struggle
"Throw in the towel"
The powerful and efficient Minnesota Vikings' defensive line from 1967-1977 was given this nickname in reference to a popular 1950s song.
'The Purple People Eaters'
McDonald's 1987 "Just Say No" (anti youth drug and alcohol use) commercial became a meme on the internet after this featured athlete says "stop it, get some help"
Michael Jordan
This 2002 Disney movie is based on the true story of Jim Morris, who debuted in the MLB at the age of 35
The Rookie
This NFL team has a mascot named "Poe," named after the famous dark and macabre writer and poet, Edgar Allan Poe
Baltimore Ravens
You might say this baseball phrase to your friend who did something really well, especially after they hit a home run
"Hit it out of the Park"
This Yankee shortstop hit the game winning homer in Game 4 of the 2001 World Series on November 1st, earning the nickname 'Mr. November'
Derek Jeter
In 1992, this athlete became Nike's first female soccer athlete, which helped launch Nike Football into women's sports
Mia Hamm
This movie, starring Margot Robbie, follows the life of Tanya Harding and her connection to the assault against Nancy Kerrigan
I, Tonya
The famous chaotic orange mascot, named this, was introduced by the Philadelphia Flyers in 2018
Gritty
You might use this phrase if someone says/does something unexpected, surprising, or coming from an unusual and unpredicted direction
"Out of left field"
The legendary 1980s Toronto Blue Jays outfield trio consisting of George Bell, Lloyd Moseby, and Jesse Barfield, was fondly referred to as this
The 'Killer B's'
These commercials had nearly every celebrity from the 90s sporting this look to encourage the consumption of dairy products
"Got Milk?"/milk moustache
Originally made in 1976, and later recreated in 2005 starring Billy Bob Thornton, follows a washed-up, alcoholic former minor-league baseball player who is hired to coach a hopeless Little League team of misfit children
Bad News Bears
The character named "Jaxon de Ville", who's known for doing high flying stunts and zip lining into the stadium, is the mascot for this NFL team
Jacksonville Jaguars
Nearing the end of something
"Home Stretch"
Earvin Johnson Jr.
This company had a commercial playing during the 2026 World Cup, which featured David Beckham and referenced the title of the movie named after him, "Bend It Like Beckham"
Home Depot
In the movie Space Jam (1996), this was the official team name of the alien team that stole the NBA players' talents
The Monstars
This animal (named Uga), traditionally dressed in a custom team jersey, is the live mascot for the University of Georgia