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2026 World Cup Language 17: See off an opponent
It’s day 17 of the 2026 World Cup and on today’s World Cup language podcast we look at a phrase to describe when one team defeats another team: ‘see off an opponent’. You can read the transcript for this podcast below, while you can also check out our glossary of footballing phrases here and visit our site to access all our previous posts and podcasts. If you have any suggestions or questions about the phrase or our podcast then you can contact us here.
Hello
DF: Hello everyone. This is Damian from the Learn English through Football team and I hope you are all well and enjoying the World Cup. This is day 17 of our World Cup language series when we explain a phrase or expression from the World Cup each day.
Now, I am still in Mexico City as my flight was cancelled so there might be some background noise as I record this in the airport!
Stinger: You are listening to the Learn English Through Football Podcast.com (in French)
Yes, you are listening to the Learn English through Football podcast and that message was in French. And France have had a wonderful start to the World Cup after winning all three of their group matches and are many people’s favourites to lift the trophy. Argentina and hosts Mexico were the other two sides to have a 100% record after the group stages – I wonder can Mexico go all the way?
See off an opponent
DF: Right, I am going to talk, a little, about a phrase that describes when a team defeats another team in a game: to see off an opponent. In yesterday’s Group L match between Panama and England, the English side had to work hard to eventually defeat the Panamanians. And so we can say that England saw off Panama.
I think to see off an opponent suggests that the team won relatively easily – we wouldn’t really say that Ecuador saw off Germany with their last-minute winner, for example. To see off another team then means that one team beats another team. Do you think your team will see off their next opponent?
Stinger: You are listening to the Learn English Through Football Podcast.com (in Spanish)
Contact
DF: Yes, you are listening to the Learn English through Football podcast and that message was in Spanish. Spain will face Austria in the last-32 match so although it can be difficult I think they should see off the Austrians and qualify for the last 16.
Now don’t forget, if you want to get in contact with us or ask a football-language question then just come along to our site or go to our World Cup forum or you can write to us at: contact@learnenglishthroughfootball.com.
Goodbye
DF: Thank you everyone again for listening. On today’s World Cup language show, we looked at the phrase, ‘to see off an opponent‘. which is used to describe a team defeating another team. Can you think of any other words or expressions, in any language, that are similar to this phrase? And if so, drop us a line and let us know.
Damon will be here again tomorrow with some more expressions from day 16 of the World Cup. Until then, bye bye.
Related Links
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- 2026 World Cup Language 16: To Spill
- 2026 World Cup Language 15: Results go their way
- 2026 World Cup Language 14: Goal difference
- 2026 World Cup Language 13: Ends scoring goal drought
- 2026 World Cup Language 12: Shrug off
- 2026 World Cup Language 11: Thumping strike
- 2026 World Cup Language 10: Statement win
- 2026 World Cup Language 9: One-way traffic
- 2026 World Cup Language 8: Gift
- 2026 World Cup Language 7: Re-taken penalty
- 2026 World Cup Language 6: A stunner
- 2026 World Cup Language 5: Hold to a draw
- 2026 World Cup language 4: Run riot
- 2026 World Cup Language 3: Lob over the keeper
- 2026 World Cup Language 2: Brace
- 2026 World Cup Language: To be dismissed
- 2026 World Cup in numbers
- 2026 World Cup in numbers (quiz)
- 2026 World Cup favourites, dark horses and flops
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