So what are some sports terms that made their way into the world of business? Below, we’ll introduce seven that you’ll definitely encounter when doing business in English.
In business, the word “ballpark” is often used to talk about a range of numbers. For example, if you’re making a “ballpark estimate,” that means your estimate doesn’t need to be precise. It just needs to be reasonable or within an expected range (i.e. inside the ballpark).
When you pitch a ball in baseball, you throw it at your opponent and hope they don’t hit it.
In business, if you “pitch” an idea, you propose it to someone and hope they like it.
Fun fact: An “elevator pitch” is a short, memorable description of an idea that you’d want to be able to say to someone important if you happen to get into the same elevator. There’s even a show based on this concept.
Like the previous two expressions, “touch base” also comes from baseball. During a game, players must run around a diamond-shaped field to score.
At each corner, there’s a base that players must touch to get a point. They usually run as fast as possible between them, which means that the time they “touch” each base is very short. So if you tell someone, “Let’s touch base soon,” you’re basically saying “Let’s talk briefly soon.”
The business world is filled with sports metaphors and analogies These expressions derived from sports are ubiquitous in everyday corporate jargon and conversations. Using the right sports terms can help communicate ideas effectively at work.
This guide will examine popular sports idioms used in business settings and how to apply them appropriately.
Why Sports Terms are Common in Business
Sports provide an excellent metaphorical framework for the corporate world. After all business is competitive unpredictable, challenging, and requires strategy – much like sports.
Drawing parallels between sports and business makes it easier to communicate complex concepts. Sports terms are visual, invoke emotion, and help build connections.
The competition and team dynamics of sports resonate with professionals across hierarchies and roles. Sports lingo unites people by providing a common frame of reference.
Above all, these expressions inject informality and color into stiff corporate-speak. When used well, sports terms showcase personality and make conversations more engaging.
Common Sports Idioms Used at Work
Here are some of the most popular sports idioms used in business settings and what they mean:
“Knocked it out of the park”
This term drawn from baseball refers to an overwhelming success or achievement beyond expectations. For example, “The marketing team knocked their campaign out of the park by exceeding all lead generation goals”.
“Game of inches”
Football coined this term which signifies how success depends on small details. It refers to how attention to minor elements can impact the bigger picture outcome. For instance, “Debugging code is a game of inches – small syntax errors can sabotage the whole program”.
“Lost a step”
This metaphor from racing implies a dip in performance and skills. For example, “After being out on maternal leave, Mary seems to have lost a step and takes longer to finish tasks now”.
“The ball is in their court”
This tennis term suggests it is someone else’s turn to take action. For example, “The ball is in the client’s court now to sign the contract and move ahead”.
“Slam dunk”
This basketball metaphor refers to a surefire win or guaranteed success. For example, “Our new automated process was a slam dunk and the client approved it right away”.
“Next man up”
This football term indicates someone is ready to step in and take over when needed. For example, “With Steve promoted, Amanda is next man up to lead the analytics team”.
“Ice water in their veins”
This basketball reference suggests someone is calm and composed under pressure. For example, “Presenting to the board doesn’t faze Thomas. He has ice water running in his veins when facing tough situations”.
“Hail Mary”
This football reference implies resorting to desperate or high-risk moves due to lack of better options. For example, “We went for a Hail Mary by making a last-minute unreasonable offer to keep the key client from defecting”.
When Should You Use Sports Terms at Work?
While sports lingo is common at work, it is important to use it appropriately by following certain etiquette rules:
Know your audience
Use idioms only if you know your teammates or colleagues are sports lovers and will appreciate the reference. Don’t impose your passion onto others.
Speak the same language
Ensure you share the same sports context. An NBA reference may be ineffective for people who follow NFL.
Consider company culture
Some firms discourage colloquialisms and favor formal communication. Understand the norms before using sports lingo.
Choose the right setting
Informal expressions suit conversations and meetings. Avoid using them in formal documents or client presentations unless relevant.
Keep it accessible
Explain the reference if people seem confused. Don’t leave non-sports fans guessing.
Use sparingly
Sprinkle sports terms for effective emphasis rather than packing conversations with them. Too much sports lingo is counterproductive.
Don’t attach negativity
Avoid using sports metaphors that can be perceived as insulting – like suggesting someone “dropped the ball”.
Tips for Using Sports Terms at Work
Here are some tips to use sports lingo at work eloquently:
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Familiarize yourself with popular sports terms so you can follow and contribute to conversations.
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Observe coworkers adept at using sports lingo for context-appropriate communication.
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If you are a sports lover, strategically work idioms into business discussions to showcase personality.
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Before meetings, identify opportunities to use sports terms to explain ideas more impactfully.
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Explain sports references if you use them in email or presentations to ensure clarity.
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Try utilizing lesser-known but relevant sports metaphors to convey novelty and originality.
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Practice using sports idioms regularly to improve business communication skills.
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Don’t go overboard. Stick to using sports lingo sparingly for maximum effect.
Why Sports Lingo Sometimes Fails at Work
Despite their popularity, sports terms can also backfire or fall flat at work if used incorrectly:
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Excessive use of idioms overwhelms listeners and undermines communication.
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Obscure references confuse people rather than clarifying ideas.
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Critics may consider sports lingo frivolous or inappropriate for formal business contexts.
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Overused expressions become clichés that lose impact.
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Gendered assumptions around sports knowledge isolates some professionals.
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Mockery and negativity in certain sports terms can demotivate teams.
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Passionate sports discussions distract from work and waste time.
Key Takeaways on Using Sports Lingo at Work
Sports lingo makes work conversations colorful. But it requires discretion. Here are the key takeaways on using sports terms effectively:
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Sports terms provide visual metaphors that communicate complexity easily.
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Know your audience and use idioms only if the context is appropriate.
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Explain references so everyone can understand them.
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Use sports lingo sparingly rather than overusing expressions.
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Be mindful of company culture and communication norms.
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Avoid sports terms that can be perceived as negative or exclusive.
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Be observant and learn terms used regularly to converse fluently.
With the right amount of moderation and sensitivity, sports idioms can enhance business discussions, lighten the atmosphere, and improve team camaraderie. The sports-business connection can be leveraged strategically for impactful communication.
Get the Ball Rolling (idiom)
As our lesson on soccer expressions explains, “At the beginning of a soccer game, one player rolls the ball to another. So the expression ‘get the ball rolling’ means to start an activity.”
- Let’s meet next week so we can get the ball rolling on this project.
- Please talk to the designers tomorrow to get the ball rolling on our new website.
Drop the Ball (idiom)
In most ball games, dropping the ball means losing a chance to score.
Outside of sports, “dropping the ball” means to completely forget about or fail to do something that you promised to do. In fact, the phrase usually comes with an apology.
For example, if you invite someone to meet up and then forget to reply to them, you can say, “Sorry, I dropped the ball. Are you free to chat next Wednesday?”
- I’m so sorry I dropped the ball on this project. I’ll have more time for it now that I’ve finished work on other tasks.
- The social media company dropped the ball on its users by accidentally leaking their passwords.
Weekly English Words with Alisha – Sports Metaphors in Business
What are the most common sports-related terms & metaphors in business?
In this article, we discuss some of the most commonly used sports-related terms, explain what they mean and why they matter in business. Below are 26 of the most common sports terms and metaphors you might hear in business: 1. The ball is in their court In tennis, you hit the ball over the net to the other player.
Do all sports terms work in every context?
Not all sports terms work in every context. American football and baseball terms are more common in American business English, and cricket and rugby terms won’t work at all. It may seem like your colleagues are being vague, but using metaphors to describe a work situation is a form of politeness in English.
Should you speak the lingo in the sports industry?
Simply put, if you don’t sound educated about the industry, business professionals assume you’re not. And even if you’re new to the sports business, speaking the lingo gives you credibility while you grow that knowledge. These are some terms defined through the lens of the sports industry.
What are some examples of sports slang?
Impressed fans decided to collect donations for Stephenson to honor the occasion. A hat was passed around to gather the money, and a new sports term was born. Another unique example of sports slang is nutmeg in soccer/association football, where the ball is cleverly passed between an opponent’s legs.
