The sports language and terminology have left a deep mark on the common and everyday Italian language generating many ways of saying different ones inspired by various sports. Expressions like “throw in the towel” or “to save oneself in the corner”which derive from dynamics and situations experienced in boxing and football, are examples emblematic of this process. Let’s see below a list of 7 Common Expressions derived from the world of sport and have become an integral part of our language, their origin and their meaning.
1. Throw in the towel – Boxing
The expression “throw in the towel” has its roots in the world of boxing. During a match, the throwing of the sponge or towel by the coach signals the surrender of the boxerending the fight to avoid further physical harm. Today, “throwing in the towel” has become synonymous with abandon a project or situation when it is believed that continuing is useless or impossible. It is used to indicate a moment of surrenderwhen one recognizes that there is no longer any chance of success.
2. Saving in the corner – Football
The saying “save yourself in the corner” comes from soccerwhere giving away a corner kick is sometimes the last resort to avoid a goal. “Saving a corner” is commonly used to describe a situation where you manage to avoid a problem or defeat at the last momentwith an emergency solution that, while not completely resolving the situation, manages it temporarily.
3. Hit the ground running – Fencing
The expression “start in fourth gear” has its origins in fencingwhere the fourth it’s a starting position considered offensivewhich allows you to attack with strength and speed. In everyday life, this phrase is used to describe theQuick start and impetuous of an activity. It applies to situations in which someone takes an action without hesitation, sometimes without even calculating the consequences. It is often mistakenly thought to have something to do with cars and engines: here instead is its real meaning.
4. All In – Poker
The term “all in” derives directly from the pokera game where players can decide to bet all their chipsthat is, tokens, in a single hand. The expression has become common to describe situations in which a person bet everything on one action or decisionrisking everything. “Go all in” it involves not only courage and determination, but also a high risk, since there are no other resources to rely on.
5. Put on the Ropes – Boxing
The expression “to put oneself on the ropes” comes from the world of boxingwhere a boxer “put on the ropes” finds himself in a very difficult positionforced to defend himself without the possibility of attacking. Outside the ring, “putting someone on the ropes” means put him “in a tight spot” in a situation of extreme pressure, where he or she faces significant difficulties and has no way out. It is a way of saying that you are forcing someone to make a decision or react in a difficult situation.
6. Full sail/With the wind at your back – Nautica
“Full sail” and “with the wind in our sails” are expressions that recall the sea and in fact derive from the world of nautical. Both phrases refer to ideal sailing conditions, where the sails are filled by the wind and the boat moves forward without obstacles. In everyday life these expressions are used to describe situations where everything goes wellsuccessfully and easily, and positive results are achieved with fluidity.
7. Hanging up your boots – Various sports
We conclude with what is perhaps the saddest expression spread in the world of sport in general, which refers to the moment in which an athlete decides to retire from competitive activity. “Hanging up your boots” means abandon a sports career or any other professional activity after having dedicated many years to it. It is often used to indicate retirement from a career, when a person decides to conclude an important chapter in their working or sports life.
