The FIFA World Cup group stage is over, and now every match is do or die. As we’re right in the midst of the knockout stages, it’s the perfect opportunity to teach English expressions your students are likely to hear during sports broadcasts, interviews, and conversations with soccer fans.

Many of these expressions have become common in everyday English too, making them useful even for students who don’t follow sports.

Here are 15 expressions to teach your online ESL students during the World Cup knockout stage!

1) Do or die

Meaning: A situation where failure isn’t an option.

Example: Tomorrow’s match is do or die for both teams.

Class discussion: What is a do or die situation you’ve experienced?

2) Win at all costs

Meaning: Determined to win no matter what.

Example: They’re playing to win at all costs.

Class discussion: Is winning at all costs always a good thing?

3) Hold your nerve

Meaning: Stay calm under pressure.

Example: The goalkeeper held his nerve during the penalty shootout.

Class discussion: Talk about a time you had to hold your nerve.

4) Rise to the occasion

Meaning: Perform well when it matters most.

Example: The captain really rose to the occasion.

Class discussion: When was the last time you had to rise to the occasion?

5) On the back foot

Meaning: Being under pressure or defending.

Example: The team spent most of the second half on the back foot.

Class discussion: Can you think of situations outside sports where someone is on the back foot?

6) Seize the moment

Meaning: Take advantage of an opportunity.

Example: The young striker seized the moment.

Class discussion: Describe a time when you seized the moment.

7) Keep your eyes on the prize

Meaning: Stay focused on the goal.

Example: The team kept their eyes on the prize.

Class discussion: What is one goal you’re working toward now?

8) Pull off an upset

Meaning: Beat someone unexpectedly.

Example: The underdogs pulled off a huge upset.

Class discussion: Can you think of a time when someone won even though nobody expected them to?

9) Stay in the hunt

Meaning: Continue competing for victory.

Example: The goal kept them in the hunt.

Class discussion: Have you ever felt close to giving up? What kept you in the hunt?

10) Dig deep

Meaning: FInd extra energy or determination.

Example: The players had to dig deep in extra time.

Class discussion: When was the last time you had to dig deep to finish something difficult?

Who are you rooting for in this World Cup? Share your favorite team in the comments below!

Stay tuned for next week’s article as we cover 10 more knockout stage idioms to teach your online ESL students as we head to the finals!