Fun Stuff

Cricket Metaphors

bat for the other side

To be homosexual.

She was interested in him, but unfortunately he was batting for the other side.

bowled over

To be surprised, upset, or pleased by something.

The good news completely bowled him over when he heard it.

had a good innings

Said of someone who has spent a long time doing something, either after it has ended or when the end is in sight. Often applied to a person's life, but can also apply to a career or other long-term endavour.

He passed away at the age of 88, so he'd had a good innings.

hit for six

Being astonished or amazed by something; or, slightly more literally, being hit by something very hard indeed.

The phone call came to tell him he'd won the lottery, which hit him for six.

let (it) through to the keeper

To avoid, ignore, or sidestep a question one does not want to answer or an issue one does not want to address. This is not always a bad thing, as one can also ignore a taunt or insult.

A member of the crowd yelled an insult, but he let it go through to the keeper and just kept walking.

not cricket

Something that is unfair or unjust; or doing something underhanded; or taking advantage of someone else's misfortune.

He saved the man's life and then he turned around and sued him for damages; that's just not cricket!

play a straight bat

To offer a noncommital or evasive answer to a question one does not want to answer.

When asked about his government's policy on the war, he played a straight bat by saying, "This press conference is about the economy."

send down a bouncer

To ask a tricky question or make a difficult request.

Tired of the evasive responses, the reporter sent down a bouncer and asked about his marriage.

shoulder arms

Equivalent to let through to the keeper.

Rather than confront the parking officer, he shouldered arms and climbed into his car.

sticky wicket

A difficult or tricky situation, especially one that requires careful negotiation to get through successfully.

He'd studied the wrong textbook, so the exam turned into a bit of a sticky wicket.