phrases using football lingo

A touchdown

A major success, an excellent performance

“Mieko scored a touchdown when she won the advertising contract for the hotel chain.”

Timeout

Take a break from work to rest or to plan the next step

“We need a timeout from this negotiation to rethink our strategy.”

Drop the ball

To lose control, to fail to manage a project

“Hiroyuki dropped the ball so Kazuo was named manager of the plastics team.”

4th down

The last chance with the ball before giving it to the opposing team.

“Manabu is the one you want to have in charge in the 4th down.”

In football, each team has four downs (chances) to move the ball 10 yards (about 9 meters) down the field. If they fail, the other team gets the ball.

Fumble

To do a poor job. In football, to lose the ball and allow the opponent to take it.

“Toru fumbled as leader of the project so he returned to work in the research lab.