1. To be bowled over

Meaning: usually used in a positive way to mean very impressed or surprised by something.

Example: I was bowled over by the 5-year-old’s knowledge of the planets.

2. To have a good innings

Meaning: usually used to describe a long, successful life or career. It’s often used to describe someone who has lived a long life. Often this phrase is also used when someone has died.

Example: It was sad when Mary died last month at the age of 98. At least she had good innings.

3. To hit someone for six

Meaning: We use it to mean to shock or surprise someone or to be overwhelmed by something. It can be used in a negative or positive way.

In cricket when a ball is hit for a six, it means the ball is hit so hard it goes over the boundary line or even into the spectator stand. So, it’s a surprise. .

Example: He was hit for a six when he was fired without warning.

4. To be stumped

Meaning: To have no idea, or do not know how to solve a problem

Example: I have no idea how to solve this math problem. I am completely stumped.

5. On a sticky wicket

Meaning: a difficult, delicate, or awkward situation. This phrase is usually used in informal situations with friends or colleagues.

Example:She’s on a sticky wicket. They’ve only given her a day to decide if she wants the job overseas

6. Be cricket

Meaning: to play fair, to use gentlemanly conduct. This idiom is most often used in a negative context.

Example: The way the Manager treated the salesman was not cricket.

7. To catch someone out

Meaning: to dismiss or get rid of a batsman by catching the ball before it touches the ground. Generally, this idiom means to detect that someone has done something wrong or made a mistake.

Example: They were caught out trying to steal some money from the safe.

8. Off one’s own bat

Meaning: To do something because you want to and not because someone told you to.

Example: I came here off my own bat because I wanted to see if you needed help.

9. Getting on the front foot

Meaning: To take control of the situation.

Example: When the project started to falter, she got on the front foot by organizing a team meeting to strategize and boost morale.

10. Playing on your back foot

Meaning: Indicating that the situation has become tough or unfavorable.

Example: After the unexpected budget cuts, the team found themselves playing on their back foot, trying to manage with limited resources.

11. Batting for the other side

Meaning: Taking opposite viewpoints, switching sides, or similar.

Example: During the debate, he suddenly started batting for the other side, supporting arguments he'd previously criticised.

12. Bouncer

Meaning: When someone throws an unexpected question or argument that catches you unawares.

Example: In the middle of the presentation, the client threw a bouncer, asking about a contingency plan we hadn't considered.

13. Googly

Meaning: When someone tricks you, leading you to do or believe something opposite to what you intended.

Example: She threw me a googly by agreeing to the plan initially but later revealed she had other intentions.

14. Sixer

Meaning: When someone does something perfectly (similar to "knocking it out of the park" or "scoring a home run").

Example: He hit a sixer with his science fair project, which not only won first place but also got featured in the local newspaper.

15. Clean bowled

Meaning: Indicating someone had no answer or had to accept defeat.

Example: The final question in the quiz was so tough, it left me clean bowled and unable to respond.

16. On a strong wicket

Meaning: Having solid grounding or the upper hand.

Example: With all the evidence in his favor, he was on a strong wicket to argue his case in front of the jury.

Quiz: How well do you know your foot?

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