Football-Related Phrasal Verbs
Improve your language skills by learning common phrasal verbs used in the sport.
Key words
- Kick off: to start a football match or an event
The game will kick off at 3 PM.
- Take on: to compete against someone or accept a challenge
Our team will take on the champions next week.
- Send off: to make a player leave the field as a punishment
The referee sent off the player for a foul.
- Come back: to recover from a losing position or to return
The team came back from 2-0 down to win the match.
- Give away: to lose possession of the ball to the opposing team
He gave away the ball to his teammate.
Comprehension Questions
- What does the phrasal verb "kick off" mean in everyday life?
- How can "give away" be used in a football context?
- What does "take on" mean, and how is it used outside of football?
- Why might a referee "send off" a player during a football match?
- How does "come back" describe both a football team's performance and a person’s return?
Football is one of the most popular sports in the world, and it has influenced the English language in many ways. If you love football and are learning English, understanding football-related phrasal verbs can help you improve your vocabulary and sound more natural in conversations. Here are some common phrasal verbs used in football and everyday English.
Kick off
Meaning: To start a football match or an event.
Example: The game will kick off at 3 PM.
In everyday life, "kick off" can also mean to start something.
Example: The meeting will kick off in ten minutes.
Give away
Meaning: To lose possession of the ball to the opposing team.
Example: He gave the ball away to the other team.
Outside football, "give away" can mean to reveal a secret or hand something over for free.
Example: I will give away my old books to charity.
Take on
Meaning: To compete against another team or player.
Example: Our team will take on the champions next week.
In general use, "take on" means to accept a challenge or responsibility.
Example: She decided to take on a new job.
Send off
Meaning: To remove a player from the game due to a rule violation.
Example: The referee sent off the player for a foul.
In everyday language, "send off" can mean to say goodbye to someone.
Example: We sent off our friend at the airport.
Come back
Meaning: To recover from a losing position.
Example: The team came back from 2-0 down to win the match.
Outside football, it means to return.
Example: She came back from vacation yesterday.
Learning football-related phrasal verbs can help you understand commentary, join discussions, and improve your overall English skills. Try using these phrases in both football and daily conversations to practice. Keep playing and keep learning!
Practice your English with football fans from around the world!
Discussion questions
- Do you have any questions about any of the vocabulary or grammar in this article?
- Can you think of any other football-related phrasal verbs that you have heard before?
- Have you ever seen a team make a great "come back" in a football match? Describe what happened.
- How do you think learning sports-related phrasal verbs can help improve your English communication skills?
- Can you use one of the phrasal verbs from the article in a sentence related to your daily life?
- Do you think football commentary and sports discussions are a good way to learn English? Why or why not?
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