IDIOM ►
Meaning 1 ►▼
the sails are expanded; full of wind
Sentence 1
Full sails ahead!
Meaning 2 ►▼
to be highly energetic.
Sentence 2
They went into the project enthusiastically with full sails.
IDIOM ►
Meaning 1 ►▼
1) a home run in baseball with the bases loaded (on all bases); 4 runs scored.
2) in tennis: the player wins all four tennis opens: the French, Wimbledon, Australian and the U.S.
3) in the card game, bridge, when a player takes all 13 tricks.
Sentence 1
Rafael Nadal won 14 and lost 6 grand slam tournaments.
Meaning 2 ►▼
A super win
Sentence 2
The Republicans scored a home run in the 1952 election when Eisenhower ran for President. The Republicans won both the Senate and the House.
Derivation
The original meaning may have come from baseball.
IDIOM ►
Meaning 1 ►▼
the ball has been hit in the ballpark
Sentence 1
The batter has a triple; it is still in the ball park.
He hit it out of the park yesterday. He had a home run.
Meaning 2 ►▼
"In the ballpark" is a common idiom used in business or politics, usually in negotiations. If a number is in the ball park, it could be considered worth negotiating. It is not a final agreement. If it is "out of the park, " it probably is not worth agonizing over to achieve a settlement.
Sentence 2
One million dollars is worth talking about. It is in the ballpark.
Derivation
The ballpark is probably derived from a baseball park.
IDIOM ►
Meaning 1 ►▼
From baseball: There are 9 innings in a game, unless the game is tied, when it goes into overtime until the tie is broken.
Sentence 1
It's the last inning and the Phillies are up to bat against the Braves. The game is tied 3 to 3. It may go into overtime unless the Phillies or the Braves get a run in the 9th.
Meaning 2 ►▼
"The game" of an election, is almost over; the last inning of an election could be the last few weeks before voters vote.
Sentence 2
Let's get this act together. It's the last inning: we are down 3% and need to win those 5 Senators to take control.
IDIOM ►
Meaning 1 ►▼
a coach's book of strategies for a game or season.
Sentence 1
The New England Patriots need a new playbook for the 2015 season if the first string quarterback is not allowed to lead his team for four games.
Meaning 2 ►▼
a stategy of moves to reach a desired objective.
Sentence 2
I've got a playbook to get my girlfriend back.
IDIOM ►
Meaning 1 ►▼
A playbook is used in football; it describes moves on the football field for the team and coaches. They need to study the playbook before a game.
Sentence 1
All players are expected to memorize the plays in this new playbook for the season.
Meaning 2 ►▼
A playbook can and often is used in a political campaign.
Sentence 2
This playbook, by our political consultants, is for the 2014 legislative campaign. It describes the strategy for the campaign, play by play.
IDIOM ►
Meaning 1 ►▼
sail pulled in
Sentence 1
Reef the sail, a storm is coming.
Meaning 2 ►▼
To slow down what one is doing.
Sentence 2
We've finished the project. Let's reef the sails.
IDIOM ►
Meaning 1 ►▼
to bounce the ball off a side wall in racquetball, squash, or handball
Sentence 1
"He bounced the ball off the wall at an unexpected angle to score a point."
Meaning 2 ►▼
When someone, often a child, is very energetic and cannot contain themselves.
Sentence 2
"These kids just had some candy and now they are bouncing off the walls causing a huge mess."
IDIOM ►
Meaning 1 ►▼
To always keep your stick on the ice in hockey, so that you are always ready if the puck comes toward you.
Sentence 1
A rookie mistake new hockey players make is forgetting to always keep their stick on the ice, only to have the puck shoot right past them.
Meaning 2 ►▼
To always be ready for anything
Sentence 2
The market is incredibly unpredictable lately, so make sure to keep your stick on the ice.
IDIOM ►
Meaning 1 ►▼
Trump is the most powerful suit in a card game.
Sentence 1
My jack of spades trumped your king of hearts.
Meaning 2 ►▼
To be more powerful or important than another thing.
Sentence 2
"Experience trumps brain power."