許多運動方面的術語跟文字表達方法已經融入美國民眾的一般日常對話，以下是一些例子。其中一些術語因為使用太過頻繁，以英文為母語的人有時甚至需要被提醒，才知道這些詞彙其實源自於運動比賽。

Catch it –抓住－ 遭麻煩並受處分﹔了解

她早點回辦公室的話，我們就大難臨頭了。
"We're going to catch it if she comes back to the office early."

Play ball–打球－ 跟某人合作

一旦雙方簽訂合約，我們就可以展開合作。
"As soon as both sides sign the contract, then we can play ball."

The way the ball bounces–球彈跳的模式－　天意，不可避免的事，命運﹔不可預測的事

你的申請函會被接受或否決，端看天意。
"It's just the way the ball bounces, whether your application is accepted or not."

Sporting chance–運動機會－ 合理的勝算

當另一家公司退標時，我們覺得自己有了勝算。
"We thought we had a sporting chance when the other company withdrew its bid."

Whole new ball game–新球賽－ 一連串的新狀況

我們在華盛頓特區沒有迷路就找到正確的路線，但紐約又是另外一回事了。
"We found our way around Washington, D.C., without getting lost, but New York City is a whole new ball game."

Ballpark figure–棒球場人數－ 估計

我們目前只需要一個大略估計，晚一點才需要精確的答案。
"At this time all we need is a ballpark figure. Exactness comes later."

Have the ball in someone's court–球在場中－必須採取行動或做出回應

我們已經交出提案了，所以現在該是他們做出回應的時候。
"We've made our proposal, so the ball's in their court now."

Bench–冷板凳－　換下某人﹔阻止某人參與

這齣戲的導演把女主角撤換掉，因為她排演時總是遲到。
"The director of the play benched the lead actress because she was always late for rehearsals."

On the ball–　有見識的﹔能幹的﹔專注的

如果我們有留意的話，就會準時付帳單了。
"If we were on the ball, the bills would have been paid on time."

Be a hit–安打－ 取悅某人﹔成功

頒獎典禮相當成功，吸引了大批群眾。
"The award ceremony was a hit, attracting an overflow crowd."

Step up to the plate–站上投手板－　採取行動﹔負起責任或接受責任

瑪莉必須要負起責任，決定哪一個提案最能增進公司利益。
"Mary needs to step up to the plate and decide which proposal will best serve the interests of the company."

Strike out–三振－　失敗

約翰寫書的提案慘遭失敗，他今天接到出版社寄來的拒絕信。
"John struck out with his book proposal; he received a rejection letter from the publisher today."

Throw a curve–投曲球－　戲弄，使吃驚﹔提出意想不到的事

老闆開了我們一個玩笑，他騙我們說每個參加公司野餐的員工都要自備食物。
"The boss threw us a curve ball when he announced that each employee would have to bring his own food to the company picnic."

Off base–擊球手未跑完全壘就被淘汰出局－　不實際的﹔不正確的﹔錯誤的

他的成本估計是錯的，比現在人工跟原料價保證的成本高出太多。
His cost estimate was way off base, far higher than warranted by current prices for labor and materials.

Out of left field–左外野的－　無關的﹔意想不到的

他解決問題的蠢提案根本是八竿子打不著一條船。
His silly proposals for solving the problem came out of left field.

Full court press–全場緊逼－ 施予強大的壓力，全力而赴

委員會使出渾身解數來籌募必要的資金。
"The committee put on a full court press to collect the necessary funds."

Slam dunk–灌籃－　了不起的成功﹔非凡的成就

這場展覽會對主辦的畫家而言可說是輝煌的成就，他售出了所有展示的畫作。"The show was a slam dunk for the artist, who sold every painting he exhibited."

Pull one's punches–不用力擊拳－ 保留己見

我的英文老師在風紀方面從不跟人客氣，她的課堂總是紀律嚴明。
"My English teacher doesn't pull any punches when it comes to discipline. She maintains an orderly classroom."

Throw in the towel–丟毛巾－ 退出﹔放棄

當參議員收賄的事情被揭發，他就知道是時候退出政壇了。
"When they found out he was receiving bribes, the Senator knew it was time to throw in the towel."

Against the ropes–靠著圍繩－ 即將失敗，被打倒﹔精疲力竭的一刻

在貸款遭拒兩次之後，約翰找第三家銀行借錢買車時，他已經精疲力竭了。
"Already having been turned down twice for a loan, John was against the ropes when he asked a third bank to finance the car he had agreed to buy."

Bowl over–擊倒－使驚訝或極度興奮

當我接獲得到那份工作的消息時，我簡直是不敢相信。"When I heard the news that I got the new job, it bowled me over."

End run–繞過防守線的一端－ 迴避正常程序或管理機構

他越過上司，直接從公司總裁那拿到計畫補助資金。
"He made an end run around his boss and got money for the project directly from the president of the company."

Huddle–隊員聚集在一起聽取指示－集合並商量

董事會集合在一起，為預期的員工抗議商討對策。
"The board of directors huddled to discuss an anticipated protest by workers."

Horse around–騎馬漫步–浪費時間﹔漫不經心

開會時老闆大喊：『不要浪費時間，回到你們的工作崗位上。』
"During the meeting the boss shouted, 'Stop horsing around and get to work.'"

Down to the wire–直到終點線–直到最後一刻才完成事情

這個學生拖到最後關頭，鐘響才交文章。
"The student went down to the wire, turning in her essay just as the class bell rang."