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Vocabulary – Week 16

Here are some of the words and phrases that we used on this week’s show.
You can practise the vocabulary with our online crosswords here
Check out the BBC’s football vocabulary page here

  • horrendous – horrible, terrible

England’s performance was described as horrendous by the media.

  • write off his career – to feel that someone can no longer play / work

The Paraguayan player’s career was written off after his accident.

  • impressive – excellent, of a high quality

The Croatian performance was impressive at Wembley.

  • To squeak past – to just do enough to win, to win luckily

Russia squeaked past Andorra 1-0 on Wednesday.

  • a quote – a comment that may appear in the media.

Steven Gerrard’s quote about England upset Damon this week.

  • To give it their all – to really try hard

Scotland gave it their all against Italy but it was not enough.

  • To sit back – to defend deeply, to fall back

England sat back after the equalising goal.

  • To throw away – to lose a winning position

England threw away their qualification chances after their performance against Croatia.

  • Elbowing – to use the elbow

Tevez was sent off for elbowing a Colombian opponent last week.

  • Demise – fall

England’s demise may be connected to poor coaching.

  • Catch (someone’s) eye – to catch someone’s attention

The performance by Xavi and Iniesta caught my eye last week against Sweden.

  • Sunday-league football – a low-level style of football, basic level

England played like a Sunday-league football team.

  • Impeccable – perfect

The performance by the Croats was described as impeccable in the media.

  • Crucial – very important

The games between the top and bottom teams in the Premier League this week are crucial ones indeed.

  • To get the chop – to lose a job, to be fired

Steve McClaren got the chop last week.

  • To clean the cupboard – to start again, to freshen things up

England need to clean the cupboard after their performances in this campaign.

  • To live up to – to reach the levels expected of them

England’s players never really lived up to the promise expected of them.

  • To see through – to ensure a result

Italy’s experience saw them through against Scotland.

  • Tasty affair – a game to look forward to

West Ham and Spurs should be a tasty affair.

  • Turned the corner – improved performances

Let’s see if Wigan can turn the corner with their new manager.

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