Vocabulary – Week 15

Here are some of the words and phrases that we used on this week's show. You can practise the vocabulary with our online crosswords here Check out the BBC's football vocabulary page here deserve a pat on the back - deserve praise, you say this when you have done something well We deserve a pat on the back. We've been doing the podcast for a year. sink or swim - left with no help, having to rely on yourself I think players should be left to sink or swim. to drop like flies - quickly collapse, die, or get sick Chelsea's defence is dropping like flies. to fall out - to disagree, have an argument Gillet and Hicks seem to have fallen out over plans for a new stadium. repercussion - an unplanned consequence There were repercussions all around Italy to hang by a thread - be in danger of failing, very close to failing England's chances of qualifying for Euro 2008 are hanging by a thread. to cost (someone) dearly - to cause (someone) a lot of problems, to have a bad effect on (someone) Poor away form has cost McClaren's team dearly. a mixed bag - a variety of something (in this case, reactions) So, a mixed bag from the England fans. malaise - sickness, unease, depression The malaise of the team isn't down to McClaren. to smack of - to look / sound like Quotas frankly smacks of desperation at best. to border on - to nearly be something It's bordering on racism.