Cricket is team game that is played on a circular field with a 20-meter rectangular pitch in the middle. Each team has 11 players and the aim is to score runs by hitting a ball as far as possible with a bat.
cricket idioms and expressions
Many idioms originated from cricket and here is a list of them with examples.
- bat for someone
meaning – support/help/defend someone
example – Do you think you could bat for me and speak to your boss? I really need this job. - bat for the other team
meaning – homosexual
example – Do you think Stanley bats for the other team? He’s never had a girlfriend. - bowled over
meaning – very impressed/surprised by something
example – We were bowled over by the politeness of the teenagers next door. - have a good innings
meaning – had a long successful life/career
example – Albert had a good innings, he deserves his retirement. - knock someone for six
meaning – shock, surprise, overwhelm
example – Meeting James knocked me for six. I wasn’t expecting to meet anyone at a swimming pool. - sticky wicket
meaning – a difficult/delicate situation
example – I found myself on a sticky wicket. I got to the till and realised I had forgotten my wallet.
cricket idioms and expressions with pictures
You can download a table of cricket idioms and expressions below.
If you’ve enjoyed this page, don’t forget to check out some more sports idioms by clicking on the links below.
