| No. | Term | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Ace up your sleeve | A hidden advantage. |
| 2. | Across the board | Applying to everyone or everything. |
| 3. | Against the clock | Racing to finish on time. |
| 4. | Ahead of the game | In a better position than others. |
| 5. | All hands on deck | Everyone must help. |
| 6. | All in | Fully committed; risking everything. |
| 7. | At bat | Currently taking a turn. |
| 8. | Back in the game | Active again after setbacks. |
| 9. | Back on track | Returned to progress or plan. |
| 10. | Ball is in your court | It’s your decision or responsibility. |
| 11. | Ballpark figure | An approximate estimate. |
| 12. | Bark up the wrong tree | Pursue a mistaken idea. |
| 13. | Base hit | A modest success. |
| 14. | Behind the eight ball | In a difficult situation. |
| 15. | Below par | Worse than expected. |
| 16. | Bench warmer | Someone not actively involved. |
| 17. | Bend the rules | Stretch rules for advantage. |
| 18. | Big hitter | An important, influential person. |
| 19. | Blow the whistle | Call attention to wrongdoing. |
| 20. | Bottom of the ninth | Last chance; near the end. |
| 21. | Break a sweat | Exert effort. |
| 22. | Bring to the table | Contribute something useful. |
| 23. | Call the shots | Make the decisions. |
| 24. | Carry the ball | Take responsibility for a task. |
| 25. | Carry the team | Do most of the work. |
| 26. | Catch your breath | Pause to recover. |
| 27. | Change of pace | A different, refreshing approach. |
| 28. | Checkered past | A history with problems. |
| 29. | Choke under pressure | Fail when stressed. |
| 30. | Clean bill of health | Confirmed to be healthy. |
| 31. | Close ranks | Unite for mutual support. |
| 32. | Come out swinging | Start aggressively and confidently. |
| 33. | Corner the market | Control most of a market. |
| 34. | Cover all bases | Prepare for every possibility. |
| 35. | Cross the finish line | Complete a goal. |
| 36. | Cut to the chase | Get to the main point. |
| 37. | Deep in the hole | In serious trouble or debt. |
| 38. | Down for the count | Unable to continue. |
| 39. | Down to the wire | Decided at the last moment. |
| 40. | Drop the ball | Make a mistake; miss duty. |
| 41. | End run | Avoid rules to reach a goal. |
| 42. | Even the score | Make things equal again. |
| 43. | Eyes on the ball | Stay focused on the task. |
| 44. | Fall at the first hurdle | Fail at the first challenge. |
| 45. | Fast track | Speed up a process. |
| 46. | First out of the gate | The earliest to start. |
| 47. | Full-court press | Intense pressure to achieve results. |
| 48. | Game changer | Something that alters outcomes. |
| 49. | Game plan | A strategy for success. |
| 50. | Get a second wind | Regain energy after fatigue. |
| 51. | Get off to a flying start | Start very well. |
| 52. | Get the ball rolling | Start an activity or process. |
| 53. | Get to first base | Achieve an initial step. |
| 54. | Go the distance | Persist until completion. |
| 55. | Go to bat for | Support or defend someone. |
| 56. | Hail Mary | A desperate last attempt. |
| 57. | Hands down | Easily; without doubt. |
| 58. | Hardball tactics | Aggressive, uncompromising methods. |
| 59. | Have a good run | Enjoy a period of success. |
| 60. | Heavy hitter | A powerful or influential person. |
| 61. | Hit a home run | Achieve great success. |
| 62. | Hit below the belt | Act unfairly or cruelly. |
| 63. | Hit the ground running | Start quickly and effectively. |
| 64. | Hold your horses | Wait; slow down. |
| 65. | Home stretch | Final phase before finishing. |
| 66. | In a league of your own | Far better than others. |
| 67. | In the home stretch | Near completion. |
| 68. | In the running | Still a possible winner. |
| 69. | In the same league | Comparable in ability or status. |
| 70. | In the zone | Performing at peak focus. |
| 71. | Jump the gun | Start too early. |
| 72. | Keep a straight face | Avoid showing emotion. |
| 73. | Keep your eye on the ball | Stay attentive and focused. |
| 74. | Kick off | Begin an event or process. |
| 75. | Knockout blow | A decisive, defeating action. |
| 76. | Last man standing | The final survivor or winner. |
| 77. | Level playing field | Fair conditions for everyone. |
| 78. | Make a clean sweep | Win or finish everything. |
| 79. | Make the cut | Meet the required standard. |
| 80. | Move the goalposts | Change rules to hinder success. |
| 81. | Neck and neck | Evenly matched; tied. |
| 82. | No-hitter | A complete shutdown of opponents. |
| 83. | Not in the same league | Not comparable in quality. |
| 84. | On deck | Next in line. |
| 85. | On the ball | Alert and competent. |
| 86. | On the home stretch | Almost finished. |
| 87. | On the ropes | In trouble; near defeat. |
| 88. | On your marks | Get ready to start. |
| 89. | Out of left field | Unexpected; surprising. |
| 90. | Out of your league | Too difficult or advanced. |
| 91. | Par for the course | Normal; as expected. |
| 92. | Pass the baton | Hand over responsibility. |
| 93. | Play ball | Start; proceed with action. |
| 94. | Play hardball | Be tough and uncompromising. |
| 95. | Play it by ear | Improvise as you go. |
| 96. | Play your cards right | Act wisely to succeed. |
| 97. | Pull no punches | Speak or act without restraint. |
| 98. | Punch above your weight | Compete beyond your apparent ability. |
| 99. | Raise the bar | Increase standards or expectations. |
| 100. | Ring a bell | Sound familiar. |
