27 Mar Keep Your Eye On The Ball…and more business idioms inspired by sport

It’s that time of the year again when Australian Rules Football has just started another exciting season!

Just thinking about this made me realise how many business idioms have been inspired by sport.

When you next hear these idioms at the office, you’ll be completely familiar with what they actually mean.

Moving the goalposts:  to unfairly alter the conditions or rules of a procedure, making it difficult for someone to achieve something.

John met all the sales targets but his manager is never happy and has moved the goalposts again.

Dropping the ball:  to make a mistake or fail.

Paul completely dropped the ball in the meeting yesterday and revealed some confidential information to the staff.

Kicking goals:  an achievement or success.

Kathy is really kicking goals for this company with the amount of revenue she made this month.

The ball is in your court:  it is up to you to make the next decision or step.

Peter has been offered his old job back and must decide by the end of the week; the ball is in his court now.

Keep your eye on the ball: to be alert to events around you/to concentrate.

Sue would be doing much better at her job if she just kept her eye on the ball during work hours.

Behind the eight ball: in a losing/weak position.

Simon is really behind the eight ball as he has been away on holidays for six weeks and won’t be able to submit the report on time.

Ballpark figure: an inexact guess.

I’m not sure how much that car cost, but to give you a ballpark figure, I would think about $30,000.

Bowled over: to overwhelm or surprise someone.

Lisa was completely bowled over by the present from the office staff when she left to have a baby.

If you’ve heard another sporting idiom you don’t understand, let me know and I’ll be happy to explain it for you!