
This week’s English for football expression is taken from our 2010 archive – it is the phrase smash and grab. Now this phrase is usually associated with a type of robbery – when the robber smashes a shop window which then allows him or her to take the valuables from inside. It is not very subtle but can be very effective as there exists an element of surprise. Now, in football we use this when one team dominates another but still does not secure the victory, rather the team that has been under pressure all game breaks out from defence and scores a goal to secure an unlikely victory. This happened last weekend at Anfield, when Liverpool had most of the possession, were in control of the game, but were hit on the break by Aston Villa, who were soon 2-0 up. A classic smash and grab.