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Weekly Football Phrase: Come out on top
In this football phrase of the week we look at the expression, ‘to fly out of the traps‘ which was used to describe how Manchester United played in their match against Liverpool. You can read the transcript for this post 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. You can also find out more about this phrase in our football language forum. If you have any suggestions or questions then you can contact us here.
Hello
DB: Hi there everyone. My name is Damon from the Learn English Through Football team and I hope you are all doing well. I am based here in Tokyo, and at the moment there is a big holiday called Golden Week, which means I’ve been a bit lazy and couldn’t manage the weekend Learn English Through Football podcast! Apologies. Damian was also busy with a family birthday.
Now, on today’s weekly football phrase podcast, I’ll be looking at some language connected with the Manchester United versus Liverpool match from last weekend. But first here’s a message introducing our show.
Stinger: You are listening to the Learn English Through Football Podcast (in Korean)
Thank you very much for that message. Could you recognise the language? That was in Korean and we’ll have a couple more languages before the end of the show.
Fly Out of the Traps
DB: OK, let’s start with our first phrase from the big match from the northwest of England. The two most successful sides in the English game, The Red Devils versus The Reds – Manchester United v Liverpool. The phrase is ‘fly out the traps’. Manchester United flew out of the traps in this game, meaning they started the game quickly and aggressively. They were all over Liverpool. They pressurised Liverpool, and created chances in the opening minutes.
The phrase is taken from greyhound racing. In this sport the dogs are at the start line in ‘traps’ or cages. The doors open and the dogs fly out – they sprint quickly out of the cages.
To fly out the traps is used in football to emphasize one side has started really well, with quick passing, aggressive tackling, and forward movement. Sadly for me as a Liverpool supporter, The Refs did not fly out of the traps.
Stinger: You are listening to the Learn English Through Football Podcast (in Twi)
DB: Thank you for that message, which was in Twi.
Lack Fight
DB: OK, Liverpool started the game poorly and were soon two goals down, or two goals behind. They lacked fight. A team can lack fight or show no fight, meaning they are passive, not competitive, and lack desire. On the other hand, Manchester United showed lots of fight.
Be Up for It
DB: A final phrase which describes Man United’s positive start and play is ‘be up for it’ – the ‘it’ is the fight, the challenge, the game. Liverpool did not seem up for it, despite this being a massive game for the fans. Although technically this is not a real derby, sometimes people refer to it as the Northwest Derby.
In this kind of game, fans expect their team to fly out the traps, to show some fight, and to be up for it: three phrases that describe a team starting and playing positively.
Stinger: You are listening to the Learn English Through Football Podcast (in Polish)
DB: And thank you for that final message, which was in Polish.
Goodbye
Do you know any phrases in other languages that have similar meanings to the phrases we have talked about today. If so, let us know by sending us a message to contact@learnenglishthroughfootball.com.
That’s it from this week’s show. We’ll be back this weekend with our main Learn English Through Football podcast. Until then, enjoy all the football and ta-ra.
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