Here are some words and phrases you can hear on languagecaster’s Full Podcast’s Good, Bad and Ugly section – a review of the footballing news. For more English practice check out our online quizzes and crosswords, worksheets and English for football phrases as well as the Learners’ Podcast.
- to thrive -to do well, to grow, to be successful
Michael Owen seems to be thriving under Kevin Keegan.
- to heat up – to become more exciting, to become more intense
It was good for Argentinian football fans as the league race heated up with Estudiantes going level on points with River Plate.
- to squeeze through – to qualify narrowly, to just get to the next stage
Boca qualified to the last 16 of the Copa Libertadores, squeezing through on goal difference over Colo Colo.
- the business end of – the time when results are decided, when the most important events happen
It is the business end of the season when the cups and trophies are being handed out.
- to tout – to strongly predict or advertise, to tip
That could be the first trophy of three that Bayern are touted to win this year.
- the drop zone – the relegation places, the bottom two or three places of the league table
Valencia are only two points above the drop zone.
- to boss the game – to dominate, to be in control
Liverpool were bossing the game, doing very well, had a few chances.
- in the bag – safe, decided
It was looking pretty much in the bag on the 94th minute.
- to stoop – to bend down low, bend at the waist
John Arne Riise stooped down and equalised for Chelsea – a stunning own goal.
- to get on with (something) – to continue without complaining, to persevere
Benitez should just get on with it. there was no need to complain. He could have had the moral high ground.
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