A failing activity or attempt at something. For Example: If you’re running for public office but are trailing by 30 points in the polls, you are fighting a losing battle.

When you support something that is popular you are “jumping on the bandwagon.” For Example: the New York Yankees have a lot of fans because people jump on the bandwagon to root for them since they are usually a very good team.

To initiate momentum on a project or plan. For Example: A boss could say to an employee, “let’s get the ball rolling on the renovation project,” which would be indicate to the employee to shift their focus on the renovation project.

This phrase is used prior to the start of every American baseball game. It means to get started on something. For Example: “at the end of a meeting, a boss could tell his employers “play ball” as a way of saying “okay, go back to work!”

HAVE A BALL means to have fun or to have a great time. When you’re having a ball, it means you are having a wonderful experience. For Example: you could tell a friend, “have a ball at the party!”

IN THE BALANCE means Yet to be decided. For Example: “with the game hanging in the balance, the star player lined up for a crucial penalty kick.”

To be something that someone would be interested in or good at. For Example: “Given how good he is at tennis, I think raquetball could be Jerry’s bag.” The implication is that since Jerry is good at tennis and raquetball utilizes many of the same skills, raquetball could be Jerry’s bag.

GO BEHIND SOMEONE’S BACK means to interfere in people’s affairs without permission, usually in a dishonest or selfish way. For Example: I thought I trusted him, but I found out yesterday he went behind my back and told everyone about it. No doubt he was only checking, but she somehow still felt upset that he […]

TURN YOUR BACK ON means to ignore or forget someone or something, especially a friend who needs your help. For Example: He needs to learn that you shouldn’t turn your back on those kind of responsibilities. (Meaning you shouldn’t ignore your responsibilities). Real friends and family love you and they rely on you, so when […]

GET YOUR OWN BACK means to get some kind of revenge, to do or get something in return for a bad thing someone did to you. For Example: The director has been unfair to the teachers all week, so here’s your chance to prove you’re right and get your own back. I hope you haven’t […]