Cliches are expressions or sayings that have become so overused that they have lost some of their original impact. In football, cliches are used quite a lot and they are often associated with the emotional aspect of the game. Sometimes the meaning is clear or extremely obvious, e.g. football is a game of two halves but more often than not the original meaning of a cliche is often difficult to understand. Why, for example, are parrots sick? How can a player give 110% when 100% surely is the maximum? And why does a victory send players and managers over the moon?
Many feel that the overuse of cliches demonstrates the fact that football players, managers, fans, commentators and pundits have a poor vocabulary and are lacking in imagination. However, cliches form part of the football discourse and though there is often no logical explanation to their meaning, they do provide some colour and humour for the football world.
If you hear any other cliches then let us know by posting a comment here. It will, to paraphrase the great manager, Brian Clough, only take a second.
- Football Cliche Quiz (Online version)
- FA Cup Cliche Quiz (Online version)
Latest Football Cliches
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- Football Language: One hand on the trophy
- Football Language: Labour to a victory
- Football Language: Stroll past another team
- Football Language: Add steel to the team
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- Football Language: High Octane Football
- 2018 World Cup Language: Play out a bore draw
- 2018 World Cup Language: You can only beat what is in front of you
- 2018 World Cup Language: Never Know They’re Beaten
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- Football Cliché: Play Football the Right Way
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- Football Cliches: A Cold Night at Stoke
- Football Cliche: 2-0 is the most dangerous of leads
- Football Language: Results go your way
- Football Language: The perfect hat-trick
- Football Language: Down to ten men
- Football Language: To Nick a goal
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- Football Cliche: Turn on a sixpence
- Football Language: Not that kind of player
- Football Language: Big ask
- Football Language: Six pointer
- Football Language: Bore draw
- Football Language: 110%
- Football Language: Kill off the game
- Football Language: Dead rubber
- Football Language: One for the cameras
- Football Language: Turn the game on its head
- Football Language: To pepper the goal
- Football Language: Prawn Sandwich Brigade
- Football Language: Play a blinder
- Football Language: Fill your boots
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