Page 168 - Perfect Phrases ESL Everyday Business

Appendix B

KO: Short for knockout. When a boxer KOs an opponent, the match
is over. A KO can have positive and negative connotations.

Phrases from Horse Racing

To be neck and neck: Two or more horses racing evenly are said
to be running neck and neck. In business or person life, two or more
people who are competing evenly at a task are the same. “My sister
and I are neck and neck in winning my mother’s attention.”
Win by a nose: When a horse wins the race by the length of a
nose, it wins by a nose. In business or personal life, it refers to when
one person wins by a very small margin. “My sister narrowly beat me
for my mother’s attention; she won by a nose.”

Phrases from Tennis

The ball is in your court: This expression is used when a player
has received the ball on his or her side of the net and must now make
the next move. In business or personal life, this means it’s up to you to
make the next move. “I spoke to Jim about the job opening and told
him that you would call about it. Now the ball is in your court.”

Phrases from Swimming

Get one’s feet wet: Instead of diving right in, some people cau-
tiously get their feet wet first and slowly go into the water. In busi-
ness or personal life, some people don’t jump into a job or project,
they slowly start out. “I’ve only been working here for three days, I’ve
hardly gotten my feet wet.”
To be drowning in something: Drowning is sinking down in the
water and being unable to breathe. In business or personal life, this
means drowning in work or tasks that are overwhelming. “When I
volunteered for this project, I didn’t realize that I’d be drowning in
paperwork.”

150