5/12/22, 7:34 AM B-Speak!
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Horseracing Idioms
Sports Idioms
ACROSS THE BOARD
Literal Meaning: In horseracing, when one bets that the same horse will come in first, second or third place
Example: Let’s bet on American Pharoah across the board.
Idiomatic Meaning: Equally for everyone
Example: The new CEO will ask for resignations across the board.
DARK HORSE
Literal Meaning: A horse that was not known before the race, but performed very well
Example: The odds on the dark horse were ten to one, but he won.
Idiomatic Meaning: A person or company who no one thinks will win but does
Example: Jean is a dark horse, isn’t she? All these months we thought she was quietly working in the back office when in actual fact she was writing
a bestselling novel.
GIVE ONE A RUN FOR ONE’S MONEY
Literal Meaning: To compete for money
Example: That horse will give the crowd a run for its money.
Idiomatic Meaning: Strong challenge or competition
Example: They may not beat your team but they’ll certainly give you a good run for your money.
HIT ONE’S STRIDE
Literal Meaning: The point at which a horse reaches its a steady pace
Example: That horse hit its stride during the second lap.
Idiomatic Meaning: To begin to do something in a confident and effective way after starting slowly
Example: Jack fooled around a lot during high school. He didn't really hit his stride until he started college.
IN THE HOME STRETCH
Literal Meaning: In the final part of the racetrack between the last turn and finish line
Example: Going into the home stretch, thehorse was ahead of the others.
Idiomatic Meaning: In the final stages of an event
Example: The election is only one week away. We’re in the home stretch now!
INSIDE TRACK
Literal Meaning: The inside of a racetrack is shorter than the outside, so it’s easier to win if one is on the inside of the track
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5/12/22, 7:34 AM B-Speak! English Coaching
Example: The horse started on the inside track.
Idiomatic Meaning: To have information or advantages which will make it easier to win
Example: She has interview with the head of the company. She has an inside track because she interned for them last summer.
NECK AND NECK
Literal Meaning: Two horses running next to each other
Example: The two horses were running neck and neck in the home stretch.
Idiomatic Meaning: Even or very close in a competition
Example: John and Cindy are neck and neck in their competition to be the class valedictorians.
UNDER THE WIRE
Literal Meaning: Wire refers to the finish line
Example: The winner finished just under the wire.
Idiomatic Meaning: Just barely in time
Example: After staying up all night to finish my final report, I turned it in the next morning -- just under the wire.
WINNING HANDS DOWN
Literal Meaning: To come in first by a wide margin. When victory seems certain, jockeys ride with their hands down, relaxing their hold on the reins,
when victory seems certain.
Example: Willie Shoemaker won the Kentucky Derby hands down.
Idiomatic Meaning: Easily, without effort
Example: He won the election hands down. It wasn’t even close.
Mark As Complete
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