许多运动方面的术语跟文字表达方法已经融入美国民众的一般日常对话，以下是一些例子。其中一些术语因为使用太过频繁，以英文为母语的人有时甚至需要被提醒，才知道这些词汇其实源自于运动比赛。

Catch it –抓住－ 遭麻烦并受处分﹔了解

她早点回办公室的话，我们就大难临头了。
"We're going to catch it if she comes back to the office early."

Play ball–打球－ 跟某人合作

一旦双方签订合约，我们就可以展开合作。
"As soon as both sides sign the contract, then we can play ball."

The way the ball bounces–球弹跳的模式－　天意，不可避免的事，命运﹔不可预测的事

你的申请函会被接受或否决，端看天意。
"It's just the way the ball bounces, whether your application is accepted or not."

Sporting chance–运动机会－ 合理的胜算

当另一家公司退标时，我们觉得自己有了胜算。
"We thought we had a sporting chance when the other company withdrew its bid."

Whole new ball game–新球赛－ 一连串的新状况

我们在华盛顿特区没有迷路就找到正确的路线，但纽约又是另外一回事了。
"We found our way around Washington, D.C., without getting lost, but New York City is a whole new ball game."

Ballpark figure–棒球场人数－ 估计

我们目前只需要一个大略估计，晚一点才需要精确的答案。
"At this time all we need is a ballpark figure. Exactness comes later."

Have the ball in someone's court–球在场中－必须采取行动或做出响应

我们已经交出提案了，所以现在该是他们做出响应的时候。
"We've made our proposal, so the ball's in their court now."

Bench–冷板凳－　换下某人﹔阻止某人参与

这出戏的导演把女主角撤换掉，因为她排演时总是迟到。
"The director of the play benched the lead actress because she was always late for rehearsals."

On the ball–　有见识的﹔能干的﹔专注的

如果我们有留意的话，就会准时付账单了。
"If we were on the ball, the bills would have been paid on time."

Be a hit–安打－ 取悦某人﹔成功

颁奖典礼相当成功，吸引了大批群众。
"The award ceremony was a hit, attracting an overflow crowd."

Step up to the plate–站上投手板－　采取行动﹔负起责任或接受责任

玛莉必须要负起责任，决定哪一个提案最能增进公司利益。
"Mary needs to step up to the plate and decide which proposal will best serve the interests of the company."

Strike out–三振－　失败

约翰写书的提案惨遭失败，他今天接到出版社寄来的拒绝信。
"John struck out with his book proposal; he received a rejection letter from the publisher today."

Throw a curve–投曲球－　戏弄，使吃惊﹔提出意想不到的事

老板开了我们一个玩笑，他骗我们说每个参加公司野餐的员工都要自备食物。
"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–击球手未跑完全垒就被淘汰出局－　不实际的﹔不正确的﹔错误的

他的成本估计是错的，比现在人工跟原料价保证的成本高出太多。
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－　无关的﹔意想不到的

他解决问题的蠢提案根本是八竿子打不着一条船。
His silly proposals for solving the problem came out of left field.

Full court press–全场紧逼－ 施予强大的压力，全力而赴

委员会使出浑身解数来筹募必要的资金。
"The committee put on a full court press to collect the necessary funds."

Slam dunk–灌篮－　了不起的成功﹔非凡的成就

这场展览会对主办的画家而言可说是辉煌的成就，他售出了所有展示的画作。"The show was a slam dunk for the artist, who sold every painting he exhibited."

Pull one's punches–不用力击拳－ 保留己见

我的英文老师在风纪方面从不跟人客气，她的课堂总是纪律严明。
"My English teacher doesn't pull any punches when it comes to discipline. She maintains an orderly classroom."

Throw in the towel–丢毛巾－ 退出﹔放弃

当参议员收贿的事情被揭发，他就知道是时候退出政坛了。
"When they found out he was receiving bribes, the Senator knew it was time to throw in the towel."

Against the ropes–靠着围绳－ 即将失败，被打倒﹔精疲力竭的一刻

在贷款遭拒两次之后，约翰找第三家银行借钱买车时，他已经精疲力竭了。
"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–击倒－使惊讶或极度兴奋

当我接获得到那份工作的消息时，我简直是不敢相信。"When I heard the news that I got the new job, it bowled me over."

End run–绕过防守线的一端－ 回避正常程序或管理机构

他越过上司，直接从公司总裁那拿到计划补助资金。
"He made an end run around his boss and got money for the project directly from the president of the company."

Huddle–队员聚集在一起听取指示－集合并商量

董事会集合在一起，为预期的员工抗议商讨对策。
"The board of directors huddled to discuss an anticipated protest by workers."

Horse around–骑马漫步–浪费时间﹔漫不经心

开会时老板大喊：『不要浪费时间，回到你们的工作岗位上。』
"During the meeting the boss shouted, 'Stop horsing around and get to work.'"

Down to the wire–直到终点线–直到最后一刻才完成事情

这个学生拖到最后关头，钟响才交文章。
"The student went down to the wire, turning in her essay just as the class bell rang."