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Reading, Listening and Vocabulary
Sports have always played a big role in my life, especially when I was younger. In primary and secondary
school I was heavily into Gaelic football , swimming and track running. Sports were a big part of school
life in Ireland, with PE classes being compulsory. Outside school, your local community or parish had
various sports teams, for Gaelic, hurling, running, swimming, football and so on. My particular school
and parish encouraged Gaelic football, with a league and championship played every year. It was a
tough physical full contact sport, so I was always getting knocks, but I enjoyed it too. As a teenager,
sport was very important not only for physical fitness but also for character; it helped me understand
the competitive nature of people, their determination to win, and the importance of team work.
After secondary school I went to university and gradually lost contact with my sporting past and
concentrated on my studies more. I still met up with friends at weekends and played a round of golf or
a game of snooker, more just to catch up with old mates, than to compete.
These days I’m more of a spectator than a participant. I really enjoy putting my feet up in front of the
television to watch a variety of sports. Some of my favorite spectator sports include GPs, the EPL, darts,
snooker, golf and basketball. Recently I have started watching baseball too, although I’m not really a fan
of any team in particular.
Of course, at present the World Cup Finals are taking center stage in the sporting world, with teams
from around the world battling it out to see who can be crowned champions. Unfortunately South
Korea were knocked out in the last 16; however getting to the last 16 is a great achievement and
something to be very proud of. I am following Spain’s progress in the cup, I think they’ll do well; I hope
so as I have money on them.
The most common Phrasal Verbs connected to Sport
|
Verb |
Collocation |
Example
|
|
bail out |
|
He bailed out France with an equaliser deep into injury time. |
|
battle on |
|
They won the first set 6-4 but lost the second by the same score. However, they battled on to take the title for the third time with a 7-5 win in the third. |
|
be over |
|
The match is over. |
|
bounce back |
|
After a half-time dressing down from their fiery Italian coach Roma bounced back after the interval. |
|
bow out |
|
But acknowledged he may have to bow out to make way for younger players who are emerging. |
|
build up |
confidence |
If you've never tried Snowboarding before there are plenty of gentle slopes to build up your confidence and technique under the guidance of expert instructors. |
|
build up |
speed |
Moderation is the key to safe exercise. Don't try to do too much too soon. Always start slowly and gradually build up speed. |
|
build up |
|
Much of the pre-match build-up had focused on the personal battle between Ronaldo and Oliver Kahn, the leading striker and goalkeeper in the 2002 World Cup. |
|
burn up |
energy |
This game is very popular and is good for burning up energy. |
|
buy out |
|
Fixed fee clauses are common in Spain, and while not so popular in the UK, changes to FIFA rules, where players can buy themselves out of the final year of their contracts, will lead to more clubs considering them. |
|
call off |
match |
We have called off the match because there is no way we�ll be able to play on that ground even if the rain stops now. |
|
call up |
|
The midfielder has emerged as a bright talent and was even call-up to the England squad. |
|
cancel out |
goal |
Martin Jorgensen's goal for Denmark was cancelled out by an Elvir Bolic header. |
|
carry through |
handicap |
The manager insists the momentum of an impressive performance will carry them through the handicap of being without a striker at home to sixth-placed Bolton on Saturday week. |
|
catch out |
|
Most of us were experienced walkers so we understood the dangers that can catch you out in these bleak but beautiful places during the winter. |
|
catch up |
competitors |
She tried to catch up with the other competitors, but they were just too fast. |
|
chuck away |
points |
We were bitterly disappointed not to have won and it was another two points chucked away in the end. |
|
clear up |
confusion |
Within hours, however, the competition's French judge cleared up the confusion when she admitted to being pressured to vote for the Russians. |
|
close in |
|
Bandini was closing in on second place when he lost control of his Ferrari. |
|
come away with |
title |
Finley came away with the title in the 400 meter run with a time of 50.05. |
|
come back |
|
We came back all refreshed from the fresh air and exercise. |
|
come on |
|
She played well for us last year and I'm tickled how she's come on and done what we've told her to do. |
|
come out |
|
Finland came out third in their group behind Argentina and Egypt. |
|
come through |
|
I hope that the fantastic, open entertaining football of Brazil comes through in the final and wins this World Cup. |
|
cool down |
|
After any period of exercise you should cool down equally and possibly more than you warmed up. |
|
cram in |
bar |
Streets were deserted as people crammed into bars and cafes to watch the match. |
|
crash out |
|
England crashed out of the World Cup after a 4-1 defeat to Germany. |
|
crash out |
|
Tim Henman has crashed out of the French Open in the second round at the hands of Belgium's Xavier Malisse. |
|
drop back |
|
Three laps from the end he started losing ground until he dropped back to third. |
|
drop out |
marathon |
I ran in a marathon last year but I wasn't fit enough. I dropped out after 10 kilometres. |
|
ease through |
|
Martina Hingis eased through to the Wimbledon third round on Wednesday after beating Jing-Qian Yi 6-4, 6-1. |
|
face up to |
fact |
We now have to face up to the fact we'll be without him for the rest of the season. |
|
fall behind |
|
When he started the marathon he was in first place, but he became tired and fell behind. He finished the race in 23rd place. |
|
firm up |
rink |
Surprisingly, the skating rink on the river looks awesome! One cool evening is all we need to firm it up and make it perfect. |
|
fool around |
|
Taekwondo is a martial art to be practised with control. Careless practice or fooling around can lead to injury. |
|
fuck up |
match |
Every time we win, we go and fuck up the next match with a stupid result. |
|
gear up |
|
Millions of fans are gearing up to watch England's crucial World Cup quarter-final against Brazil. |
|
get in |
practice |
Some of the girls were able to get some practice in before it got too crowded later in the day. |
|
get off |
|
The World Cup got off to a sensational start in Seoul as Senegal snatched a 1-0 victory against defending champions France. |
|
get out |
pool |
I got out of the pool after an hour of drills and freestyle swimming. |
|
slide back |
|
Ryan held the top spot until Dale Earnhardt Jr. passed for the lead on lap nine. By lap 20, Elliott had resumed the lead; Earnhardt had slid back to sixth and Ryan to seventh. |
Some popular Sports Idioms.
The biology test was a
slamdunk.
The price you’re asking is in the ballpark.
When I caught Bob’s finger in the car door, he was
a good sport
about it.
You dropped the ball.
More Sports Idioms can be found here: http://www.idiomconnection.com/sports.html
Questions (Please click on the link below to find some sample questions)