Here are some words and phrases you can hear on languagecaster’s Full Podcast’s Good, Bad and Ugly section – a review of the footballing news. For more English practice check out our worksheets, football glossary and English for football phrases as well as the Learners’ Podcast.
- Back heel: A shot or pass using the back part of the foot
Example: Ibrahimovic’ goal for Inter against Bolgna was described as a flying back heel.
- A piece of cake: An expression that means something is extremely easy.
Example: Ibrahimovic described his goal as a piece of cake.
- To destroy (a team): To defeat soundly, to beat a team by a wide margin
Example: Barcelona destroyed Atletico Madrid 6-1 last weekend.
- the Basque Country: Autonomous region in the north of Spain (San Sebastian and Bilbao are the main cities)
Example: Jose Etxeberria plays for Athletic Bilbao which is based in the Basque Country.
- Elusive: hard to find
Example: Spurs are finding it tough to find that elusive win at the start of the season.
- High-flying: Doing well in the league (not always expectedly so)
Example: High-flying Hull City won for the second time in North London this season after beating Tottenham 1-0 at White Hart Lane.
- Lambasted: Heavily criticised, attacked
Example: The new Newcastle manager Joe Kinnear was lambasted by the press at last week’s press conference.
- Swear word: Rude language
Example: Joe Kinnear used more than 50 swear words in 5 minutes at a journalist last week.
- Debt: To owe money, to be in the red
Example: FA President Lord Triesman felt that the debt among Premier League clubs was extremely dangerous.
- ÂŁ3 billlion: 3000 million pounds (approximately $5500 million)
Example: It is reported that Premeier league clubs owe more than ÂŁ3 billion in debts.
