Each week the languagecaster team explains a football phrase or cliche for learners of English who love the sport. On this week’s show we take a look at the cliche ‘It’s the hope that kills you’. Click on the link below to learn about the word or phrase, while you can also read the transcript. You can also find many more examples by going to our huge football glossary here.
Listen here: It’s the hope that kills you.mp3
This week we look at a cliche that many football fans may have used on the final weekend of the season: It’s the hope that kills you, which means that having no expectations or hopes may be better as your dreams may not be destroyed in a cruel manner. Before an important match supporters are hoping that their team does well: they want them to win, to qualify for the Champions League or to stay up and avoid relegation. However, fans know that their team may not be good enough or that they need to rely on another team or sometimes a bit of luck to help them. This gives fans hope and allows them to dream. However, this optimistic feeling can be destroyed by a bad decision, poor play or bad luck leaving the fans’ dreams in tatters.
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Last weekend, Manchester United fans were hoping that QPR could prevent Manchester City from winning their game in order for the Reds to win the title. Right up until the 90th minute this hope dream appeared to be coming true until two goals in 90 seconds smashed that hope leaving United fans desolate. It is the hope that kills you.
Check out our glossary of footballing phrases here and if you have any suggestions or questions, contact us at admin@languagecaster.com
Learn English Through Football Podcast: A show for football fans to improve their English language skills
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Ted Lasso brought me here.
Brilliant!
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[…] As a Man Utd fan, I am of course expecting the triumphant return of the glory days under the leadership of Louis Van Gaal. After a brief flirtation with David Moyes (you know, you keep telling yourself it’s gonna be ok, but deep inside you know you’re making excuses for his mediocrity), I think this really could be it…The beginning of a beautiful friendship.A As they say, it’s the hope that kills you. […]
It is indeed the hope that kills you!
Enjoy the season and thanks for the comment.