Question

The world of sports has given us many idiomatic expressions like ‘blow-by-blow.’ Read the description of each of the idioms given below. Then match these idioms with their meaning given in the box.

Idioms	Meaning
i) throw in the towel: Wet towels are kept near a boxing ring to wipe the sweat of boxers between rounds. When a boxer was getting badly beaten, his manager would throw a towel in the ring to end the fight.	a. state of near collapse or defeat
ii) in our corner: In a boxing match, the corners are the two opposite angles of a boxing ring where the boxers rest between rounds.	b. unfair or unsporting behaviour
iii) on the ropes: Boxing rings are typically enclosed by four ropes. As a boxer when your opponent has forced you against the ropes with his/her attack, you are in trouble.	c. prepare for a conflict
iv) below the belt: Hits below the beltline are generally considered illegal in boxing.	d. on your side in an argument or dispute
v) square off: facing each other at the beginning of a match	e. to give up

Answer 1

Idioms	Meaning
i) throw in the towel: Wet towels are kept near a boxing ring to wipe the sweat of boxers between rounds. When a boxer was getting badly beaten, his manager would throw a towel in the ring to end the fight.	e. to give up
ii) in our corner: In a boxing match, the corners are the two opposite angles of a boxing ring where the boxers rest between rounds.	d. on your side in an argument or dispute
iii) on the ropes: Boxing rings are typically enclosed by four ropes. As a boxer when your opponent has forced you against the ropes with his/her attack, you are in trouble.	a. state of near collapse or defeat
iv) below the belt: Hits below the beltline are generally considered illegal in boxing.	b. unfair or unsporting behaviour
v) square off: facing each other at the beginning of a match	c. prepare for a conflict