| No. | Item | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | a clean sweep | win everything |
| 2. | a game of inches | small margins matter |
| 3. | a long shot | an unlikely chance |
| 4. | a whole new ball game | a completely different situation |
| 5. | ace up your sleeve | a hidden advantage |
| 6. | against the ropes | in serious trouble |
| 7. | ball is in your court | it’s your turn to act |
| 8. | batting a thousand | doing perfectly successful |
| 9. | beat the clock | finish before time runs out |
| 10. | behind the eight ball | in a difficult position |
| 11. | big league | top level competition |
| 12. | blow the whistle | stop something officially |
| 13. | call the shots | be in control |
| 14. | can’t win for losing | keep failing despite effort |
| 15. | carry the ball | take responsibility |
| 16. | choke under pressure | fail when stressed |
| 17. | clear the hurdles | overcome obstacles |
| 18. | come from behind | win after trailing |
| 19. | come out swinging | start aggressively |
| 20. | down for the count | unable to continue |
| 21. | down to the wire | decided at the last moment |
| 22. | draw first blood | gain the first advantage |
| 23. | drop the ball | make a mistake |
| 24. | end run | a workaround strategy |
| 25. | even the score | make things equal again |
| 26. | extra innings | additional time to decide |
| 27. | field day | a time of great enjoyment |
| 28. | fight to the finish | keep trying until the end |
| 29. | first out of the gate | start before others |
| 30. | full-court press | intense pressure |
| 31. | fumble the ball | handle something poorly |
| 32. | get a second wind | regain energy |
| 33. | get back in the game | return to active effort |
| 34. | get off the bench | start participating |
| 35. | get the ball rolling | start something |
| 36. | get your head in the game | focus and concentrate |
| 37. | go the distance | finish what you started |
| 38. | hail Mary | a desperate last attempt |
| 39. | heavy hitter | an influential person |
| 40. | hit a home run | achieve great success |
| 41. | hit below the belt | act unfairly |
| 42. | hit it out of the park | do extremely well |
| 43. | hit the ground running | start quickly and effectively |
| 44. | in the home stretch | near the end |
| 45. | in the running | still a candidate |
| 46. | in your corner | supporting you |
| 47. | jump the gun | start too early |
| 48. | jump through hoops | do many required tasks |
| 49. | keep the pressure on | continue pushing hard |
| 50. | kick off | begin an event |
| 51. | knock it out of the park | do exceptionally well |
| 52. | knockout blow | a decisive action |
| 53. | last man standing | the final remaining competitor |
| 54. | lay it on the line | risk something important |
| 55. | level playing field | equal conditions for all |
| 56. | make the cut | meet the required standard |
| 57. | miss the mark | fail to achieve the goal |
| 58. | Monday morning quarterback | someone who criticizes afterward |
| 59. | move the goalposts | change rules unfairly |
| 60. | neck and neck | very close in competition |
| 61. | no contest | an easy win |
| 62. | not playing with a full deck | not very smart |
| 63. | on deck | next in line |
| 64. | on the ball | alert and competent |
| 65. | out for the season | unable to continue for long |
| 66. | out of bounds | beyond acceptable limits |
| 67. | out of left field | unexpected or strange |
| 68. | out of your league | too difficult for you |
| 69. | par for the course | typical or expected |
| 70. | pass the baton | hand over responsibility |
| 71. | play ball | cooperate or begin |
| 72. | play hardball | act tough and uncompromising |
| 73. | play it by ear | improvise as you go |
| 74. | punt on it | delay a decision |
| 75. | raise the bar | increase the standard |
| 76. | run interference | remove obstacles for someone |
| 77. | run out the clock | use time to your advantage |
| 78. | run with it | continue and develop it |
| 79. | score points | gain approval or advantage |
| 80. | sink or swim | succeed or fail alone |
| 81. | slam dunk | a sure success |
| 82. | step up to the plate | accept responsibility |
| 83. | strike out | fail completely |
| 84. | swing for the fences | take a big risk |
| 85. | take a timeout | pause to regroup |
| 86. | take one for the team | sacrifice for others |
| 87. | the ballpark figure | an approximate number |
| 88. | the gloves are off | no more restraint |
| 89. | the whole nine yards | everything possible |
| 90. | throw a curveball | introduce a surprise problem |
| 91. | throw in the towel | give up |
| 92. | toe the line | follow the rules |
| 93. | under the gun | under pressure |
| 94. | up to par | meeting the standard |
| 95. | up your game | improve your performance |
| 96. | walk it off | recover quickly from a setback |
| 97. | win by a nose | win by a tiny margin |
| 98. | win hands down | win easily |
| 99. | win some, lose some | success varies over time |
| 100. | with flying colors | very successfully |
