Here are some words and phrases you can hear on this weeka€™s languagecastera€™s Good, Bad and Ugly section of the podcast – this week is a special end of year review of Liverpool and Tottenham’ seasons. For more English practice check out our worksheets, football glossary and English for football phrases.
[print_link]- To mount: to produce, to present for the public
Example: Liverpool are top of the league and mounting a serious challenge for the title.
- To be in contention: to have a chance of winning, to be close in a competition
Example: Compare that with losing to Barnsley in the FA Cup, being beaten again by Manchester United – 3-0 at Old Trafford – Ouch!, and never really being in contention for the title.
- To succumb: to lose, to give in to, to surrender
Example: …in a thriller at Anfield in the last eight, before finally succumbing narrowly to Chelsea in the semis in another classic European tie.
- To dispatch: to deal with, to complete (also to send)
Example: (The penalty kick was) dispatched by Gerrard.
- (To do something) at last: finally, after a long time, after a long wait
Example: Liverpool have picked up seven points from nine against their other big rivals, beating Manchester United at last, ending Chelsea’s unbeaten run and drawing away at Arsenal.
- To be in with a shout of: to have a chance of winning, to be close in a competition, to be in contention
Example: So, (Liverpool are) in with a shout of the title, more funds available for January – a left back please – and a great tie against Real Madrid to look forward to.
- A demolition: To completely destroy another team, thrashing
Example: … the League and then a 5-1 demolition of north London rivals Arsenal in the semi-final of the Carling Cup.
- To be topped: To be beaten by, to be bettered by.
Example: This was topped however by the final itself in which Spurs beat Chelsea.
- Fixtures: The schedule of a football team, the set of matches.
Example: The team only won two of their remaining eleven fixtures in the league, finishing 11th.
- To be off the pace: To not be near the top, to be well behind
Example: Tottenham were well off the pace in the Premier Leagu last year.
- A breakthrough season: A season in which a team performs well
Example: Many thought that this would be a breakthrough season for Spurs.
- To steady the side: To improve the team, to ensure the team does well.
Example: In came Harry Rednapp who seems to have steadied the side somewhat…
