Sports Clichés

Sports clichés — If you’ve ever listened to a baseball game on the radio or watched Sports Center on ESPN, you’ve likely heard many a sports cliché.

Sports fans worldwide recognize the familiar lingo announcers use to describe their favorite sports. But it’s not just sports announcers who use well-worn phrases. Players, coaches, and sportswriters are also guilty of using well-worn phrases. For many fans, it is now expected that a cliche or two will be dropped in any sports interview.

Check out our list of cliches below. These phrases enable athletes, coaches, and analysts to say a whole lot of nothing.

Best Sports Cliches

1. Defense wins championships.
2. This is a must-win game.
3. The players have bought into the coach’s system.
4. Making a statement.
5. He’s got a great work ethic.
6. Presence of mind.
7. It’s not over until it’s over.
8. Pick 6.
9. We just ran out of time.
10. A rifle for an arm.
11. Backs against the wall.
12. That’s Manny being Manny.
13. Records are meant to be broken.
14. Take what the defense gives you.
15. Step it up.
16. Taking it to the next level.
17. The other team wanted it more.
18. She came to play.
19. They’re playing not to lose — you have to play to win.
20. It comes down to which team wants it more.
21. Momentum has shifted.
22. A win is just a win.
23. We gave 110%.
24. Both teams played hard.
25. You gotta give them a lot of credit.
26. It’s a game of inches.
27. She brought her “A” game today.
28. The World Champions (of North America).
29. Best seat in the house.
30. Really tempting the fates.

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Inspirational Sports Cliches

1. One game at a time.
2. A win’s a win.
3. I can’t say enough about him.
4. The best defense is a good offense.
5. These teams match up well.
6. She has her game face on.
7. He dropped the ball.
8. At the end of the day.
9. We have to have played our best to have a chance to win.
10. It’s gut-check time.
11. Everybody’s on the same page.
12. A total team effort.
13. Much work needs to be done.
14. He doesn’t pull any punches.
15. All we gave was our blood, sweat, and tears.
16. They have unbelievable chemistry.
17. Hit a home run.

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Basketball Cliches

1. A defense that bends but doesn’t break.
2. Take care of the ball.
3. They’re better than their record indicates.
4. We left it all on the field (court).
5. He’s playing his game.
6. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.
7. They’re playing within themselves.
8. He always gives 110%.
9. A slam dunk.
10. Double down.
11. The win today was a total team effort.
12. He wishes he could have that one back.
13. He’s a good locker room guy.

Football Cliches

1. We have to come together as a team.
2. There’s no “I” in team.
3. They have to establish the running game.
4. It’s all about execution.
5. You can’t stop the clock.
6. He gave 110%.
7. Ice the kicker.
8. He knows what it takes to win.
9. The team with the fewest turnovers will win.
10. He just knows how to win.
11. This should be a chipshot for him.
12. It’s all about moving the chains.
13. Playing with a short field.
14. The game is won in the trenches.
15. They have to stop the big play.
16. God was on our side today.
17. They have a great team on paper.
18. That’s a sticky wicket.
19. Take care of the football.
20. He’s got great pocket presence.

Baseball Terms

1. That came out of left field.
2. Can of corn.
3. He’s seeing the ball well.
4. This team never quits.
5. Rub some dirt on it.
6. Touch ’em all.
7. It ain’t over until it’s over.
8. He always gives 110%.
9. An in-between hop.
10. He tattooed that one.
11. It’s a beautiful day for baseball.
12. Let’s play two!
13. Ducks on the pond.
14. Pitching out of a jam.
15. Texas Leaguer.
16. Backs against the wall.
17. Caught napping.
18. A marathon, not a sprint.
19. Chin music.
20. Uncorked a wild pitch.
21. An insurance run.

Sports Lingo

1. On the outside, looking in.
2. We’re treating this like any other game.
3. It’s not how you start; it’s how you finish.
4. Their backs are against the wall.
5. There’s no tomorrow.
6. In the playoffs, anything can happen.
7. (Regarding the playoffs) It’s a new season.
8. No lead is safe.
9. Turnovers will be key.
10. Tremendous upside.
11. There’s no love lost between these two teams.
12. The game was closer than the final score indicated.

Sports Terms

1. It’s a business.
2. A team of destiny.
3. We overcame adversity.
4. We beat a very good team today.
5. No one gave us a chance.
6. Defense wins championships.
7. Overcame adversity.
8. A great piece of hitting.
9. That’s why we play the games.
10. We shocked the world.

Next time you watch a sports announcer hold up a microphone, count how many cliches you hear. It’s a fun exercise. That’s all she wrote. (Boom… fit in one more cliche.)

By Mike O’Halloran

Founder and Editor, Sports Feel Good Stories

Mike O’Halloran founded Sports Feel Good Stories in 2009. He co-authored four trivia books for kids under the Smart Attack line. Mike coached basketball for 15 seasons, taught tennis, and has written four books on basketball coaching. He has been a contributing writer for USA Football, the youth arm of the NFL. Mike is the founder of the Fantasy Football Team Names Hall of Fame.

Overtime

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