sport idioms

Monopoly money

money that has no value

the dice were loaded against

I would be unlikely to succeed

dicing with death

taking risk

poker-faced

expressionless

hold all the cards

be in strong position

keep/play sb’s cards close to sb’s chest

do not reveal plans

play sb’s ace/trump card

use advantage

move the goalposts

change rules to be unfair

knock sb for six

surprised and upset

get the red card

receive official criticism

it’s just not cricket

it’s not fair (humorous)

a whole new ball game

completely different situation

play hardball

be so determined to use unfair methods

take a rain check tonight

if you want to refuse an invitation

not pull any punches

speak in an honest way

be/feel punch-drunk

tired and confused

below the belt

unfair attack

throw in the sponge/towel

admit defeat

start the ball rolling

to start an activity and encourage others

the ball is in your court

you are the one in charge

on the ball

Quick to understand

off our own bat

on our own initiative

play ball

co-operate

on a level playing field

in a fair situation

play your cards right

do sth to achieve what you want

put/lay your cards on the table

tell sb honestly what you want to do

pass the buck

blame sb

follow suit

do the same

call someone’s bluff

test sb to check if they tell the truth

take the plunge

do sth important or difficult that you had to do a long time ago

go back to square one

go back to the beginning

be wide of the mark

be wrong

do sth on the spur of the moment

impromptu

be on the cards

likely to happen

your best bet

best thing you can do to achieve results

when the chips are down

difficult situation, test whether you can trust people