key words in media

key player

an important or influential person, company or country

level playing field

a fair situation where everyone has the same chances

moving goalposts

changing the rules or objectives during a process

own goal

a mistake that helps your opponent

professional foul

a deliberate unfair action to gain an advantage

shown the red card

being punished or removed for unacceptable behaviour

ruled offside

being judged to have acted improperly

race

a competitive situation

stakes

what can be won or lost

raise the stakes

increase the importance, risk or reward

odds

the chances of success

favourite

the person expected to win

outsider

someone with little chance of winning

stalking horse candidate

a candidate who runs mainly to test support

front runner

the current leader in a competition

neck and neck

at the same level; very close

trail behind

be losing or lagging behind

bring up the rear

be in last position

dead heat

a tie with no clear winner

track record

a history of performance or achievement

hurdle

an obstacle or difficulty

marathon

a long and tiring activity

ball game

a completely new situation

ballpark figure

a rough estimate

softball

a gentle or non‑aggressive approach

hardball

an aggressive approach

out of left field

unexpected or surprising

singles and doubles

steady, methodical successes

homer

a major or spectacular success

three strikes and you're out

three serious offences lead to permanent exclusion

bodyblow

a serious setback

deal/deliver a bodyblow

cause major damage

on the ropes

in serious difficulty

knockout blow

a defeat from which recovery is unlikely

out for the count

finished or unable to recover

gambit

a calculated move involving risk

stalemate

a situation with no progress or winner

endgame

the final stage of a process or conflict

entertainment

content created for enjoyment

pure/sheer entertainment

something enjoyed mainly for pleasure

mere entertainment

only entertainment, without deeper value

high-brow

intellectual or sophisticated

middle-brow

moderately intellectual

low-brow

simple or not intellectual

preview

an early showing before the official opening

sneak preview

an advance showing

opening night / premiere

the first official performance

debut

a first public appearance or performance

revival

a new production of an older work

entertainer

someone who performs to amuse audiences

artist

a performer

star

a very popular performer

show business / showbiz

the entertainment industry

impresario

someone who organizes and promotes performances

performing arts

arts performed live, such as theatre or ballet

visual arts

arts such as painting and sculpture

performer

someone who performs

cast

all performers in a production

role

a character played by an actor

rehearse

practise before performing

dress rehearsal

the final rehearsal before a performance

stage fright

nervousness before performing

backstage

the area behind the stage

wings

the sides of the stage, where actors wait to come on

sell-out

an event with all tickets sold

packed house

a full audience

run

a series of performances

applause

clapping to show appreciation

standing ovation

applause while standing

encore

an extra performance requested by the audience

heckle

interrupt with criticism

heckler

a person who interrupts with critism

boo

show disapproval by shouting

critic

someone who reviews artistic work

critical acclaim

strong praise from critics

rave reviews

very positive reviews

a hit

a success

mixed reviews

both positive and negative reviews

panned by the critics

strongly criticized

Broadway/the Great White Way

mainstream commercial theatre in New York

West End

mainstream commercial theatre in London

fringe

experimental or alternative theatre

Hollywood

the American film industry

Tinseltown

informal name for Hollywood

studio system

the traditional Hollywood production system

movie

a film

shoot a film

record or make a film

set

the place where scenes are filmed

location

a real place used for filming

megastar

an extremely famous star

starlet

a young actress expected to become famous

lead

the main actor or role

supporting role

an important but not main role

bit-part

a very small role

extra

a background performer

cameo role

a small role by a famous person

blockbuster

a very successful film or book

box office success

a film that earns a lot of money

flop

a failure