Idiom Families
The Big Idea
LIFE IS A BALLGAME - challenges are pitches, chances are turns at bat, cooperation is teamwork
Baseball & Sports
America's pastime colonized its language. Estimates, surprises, failures, and responsibilities all get described as baseball - even by Americans who have never watched a game. Picture the diamond: you step up to the plate, someone throws you a curveball, you either hit it out of the park or strike out.
Fuku's Note
Every culture borrows idioms from its favorite sports. Japanese leans on sumo (gachinko, hitori-zumo) and baseball too - so Japanese learners often find this domain surprisingly friendly.
Ryu's Tip
When Americans talk business, they're secretly playing baseball. Learn the game's shape and twenty idioms decode themselves.
Idioms in this family
ballpark figure
A rough estimate; a number that is approximately correct
step up to the plate
To take responsibility for a task, especially when others won't
strike out
To fail completely at an attempt
throw someone a curveball
To surprise someone with something unexpected and difficult to deal with
touch base
To make brief contact with someone, usually to exchange updates