Learn English Through Football
Episodes
Weekly football Phrase: (to) Fly Out of the Traps
06 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this football phrase of the week we look at the expression, 'to fly out of the traps' which was used to describe how Manchester United played in th...
Weekly Football Phrase: Come out on top
02 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this football phrase of the week we look at the expression, 'come out on top' which was used to describe PSG's win over Bayern Munich in the Champi...
Learn English Through Football Podcast: Lose the Dressing Room
26 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's football-language podcast we look at the phrase 'lose the dressing room', and other football language used when a manager is under pres...
Weekly Football Phrase: Close the gap
22 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this football phrase of the week we look at the expression, 'close the gap' after Manchester City's win over Arsenal in the Premier League. The pos...
Learn English Through Football Podcast: Business End of the Season
18 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's football-language podcast we look at some phrases connected to the expression, 'business end of the season' as we only have a few weeks...
Weekly Football Phrase: (to) Fizz the Ball
14 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this football phrase of the week we look at the verb phrase 'to fizz the ballt'. This phrase ise used to talk about passing as well as shooting. Th...
Weekly Football Phrase: No Fluke
08 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this football phrase of the week we look at the expression, 'no fluke' after Southampton defeated Arsenal in the FA Cup quarter final this weekend....
Learn English Through Football Podcast: Miss Out On
04 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's football-language podcast we look back at some football phrases from the 2026 World Cup play-off finals, including, 'miss out on' after...
Weekly Football Phrase: (to) Sky It
01 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Weekly Football Phrase: (to) Sky It In this football phrase of the week we look at the verb phrase ‘to sky it’. This phrase can be used to...
Learn English Through Football Podcast: Reach the final
31 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's football-language podcast we look at some football phrases from the 2026 World Cup play-off games, including, 'reach the final'. The ...
Weekly Football Phrase: Caught Napping
25 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this football phrase of the week we look at the phrase 'caught napping', a phrase usually used to talk about defending. The post Weekly Football P...
Learn English Through Football Podcast: Stripped of their title
21 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's football-language podcast we look at a football phrase that has come out of AFCON 2025: 'stripped of their title' after what happened i...
Weekly Football Phrase: Defend their title
17 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this football phrase of the week we look at the expression, 'defend their title' after Chelsea defeated Manchester United in the Women's League Cup...
Learn English Through Football: Goalkeeping Gaffe
15 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's football-language podcast we look at football phrases to talk about goalkeeping mistakes, including 'goalkeeping gaffe'. The post Learn...
Weekly Football Phrase: To be into the next round
10 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this football phrase of the week we look at the expression, 'To be into the next round' after League One side Port Vale qualified for the quarter-f...
Learn English Through Football Podcast: (to) Shepherd the Ball
07 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's football-language podcast we look at some language connected with defending or controlling the ball. The post Learn English Through Foo...
Weekly Football Phrase: one for the team
02 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this football phrase of the week we look at the cliche, 'one for the team', a phrase used alongside yellow cards. The post Weekly Football Phrase: ...
Learn English Through Football Podcast: Hold Off A Fightback
28 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's football-language podcast we look at some language from the Champions League second leg tie between Juventus and Galatasaray. We will e...
Weekly Football Phrase: Too Good to Go Down
25 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this football phrase of the week we look at the cliche, 'too good to go down' after my favourite team Tottenham lost again and are only four points...
Learn English Through Football Podcast: Women’s Champions League Play Offs
22 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's football-language podcast we look at some of the football language connected with this week's Women's Champions League play off fixture...
Weekly Football Phrase: Penalty Shootout
17 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this football phrase of the week we look at the phrase, 'penalty shootout' after the FA Cup 4th Round tie between Birmingham and Leeds was decided ...
Learn English Through Football Podcast: The Language of Getting the Sack
14 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's football-language podcast we look at some language around manager sackings after some high-profile managers lost their jobs this week. ...
Weekly Football Phrase: (to) Dwell on
11 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This podcast's weekly football phrase is the verb phrase 'to dwell on'. This is used to describe talk about a player in control of the ball. The post ...
Learn English Through Football: 2023 Women’s World Cup Final
10 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this football language podcast we look back at some of the language from the final of th 2023 Women's World Cup. The post Learn English Through Foo...
Learn English Through Football Podcast: Extend Their Lead
07 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's football-language podcast we look at some language connected to the top of the table: 'to extend their lead' and 'to move clear'. The p...
Weekly Football Phrase: Scorpion Kick
04 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This podcast's weekly football phrase is the noun 'a scorpion kick'. This is used to describe a particular kind of shot. The post Weekly Football Phra...
Learn English Through Football Podcast: Bullet Header
31 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's football-language podcast we look back at some of the football language from the final round of games from the 2025-26 Champions League...
Learn English Through Football Podcast: Missed Penalty (AFCON 2025)
25 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's football-language podcast we look back at the AFCON final between Morocco and Senegal and discuss missed penalties The post Learn Engli...
Learn Englsh Through Football Podcast: 2026 FA Cup Third Round
18 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's football-language podcast we focus on the language of the 3rd round of the FA Cup, including the cliche 'the magic of the cup'. The pos...
Weekly Football Phrase: Sacking Season
08 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this football phrase of the week we look at the cliche, 'the sacking season' after two high-profile sackings in the Premier League this week. The p...
Learn English Through Football Podcast: Rode their luck (AFCON 2025)
05 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's football-language podcast we look at some language from the last-16 of the AFCON 2025 tournament in Morocco, including the phrase, 'rod...
Weekly Football Phrase: (to) Latch on to
24 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This podcast's weekly football phrase is a verb phrase' to latch on to'. This is used to describe a player controlling the ball. The post Weekly Footb...
Learn English Through Football Podcast: AFCON 2025 Preview
21 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's football-language podcast we look forward to AFCON 2025 which starts this weekend in Morocco. We will look at some of the favourites, p...
Weekly Football Phrase: (a) Goal Fest
17 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This podcast's weekly football phrase is 'a goal fest'. a phrase used to describe matches with lots of goals. The post Weekly Football Phrase: (a) Goa...
Learn English through Football Podcast: Turn the Corner
14 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's football-language podcast we look at some language from the past week including 'turn the corner' and 'down tools'. The post Learn Engl...
Weekly Football Phrase: Throw Under the Bus
10 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This podcast's weekly football phrase is to throw under the bus. which is a phrase used by Mohammad Salah in comments this week. The post Weekly Footb...
Learn English Through Football Podcast: To Be Drawn (2026 World Cup Draw)
07 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's football-language podcast we look at some language from the 2026 World Cup draw that took place in Washington at the weekend and in p...
Weekly Football Phrase: (to) Shin It
06 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This podcast's weekly football phrase is to shin it. which is a phrae you will hear connected with how a player kicks the ball. The post Weekly Footba...
Learn English Through Football Podcast: 2025 Copa Libertadores Final – Flying Header
01 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's football-language podcast we look at some language from the CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores final (2025) that took place this weekend betwee...
Weekly Football Phrase: The Goal Stands
24 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this football phrase of the week we look at some language from the weekend, including the phrase, 'the goal stands' from the Newcastle United win o...
Learn English Through Football: Roy of the Rovers
23 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's football-language podcast we look at a phrase used to talk about amazing moments in football - Roy of the Rovers. The post Learn Englis...
Weekly Football Phrase: At the Death
18 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this football phrase of the week we look at some language from the recent 2026 World Cup qualifier between Hungary and Ireland, including 'at the d...
Learn English Through Football Podcast: Group Decider
16 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's football-language podcast we look at some language connected to the 2026 World Cup qualifiers and the phrase, 'group decider'. The post...
Learn English Through Football Podcast: Solo Effort
09 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's Learn English Through Football podcast we look at the phrase, 'solo effort' which describes a particular type of goal. The post Learn E...
Learn English Through Football Podcast: Go Clear
01 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's Learn English Through Football podcast we look at the phrase, 'go clear' when describing a team doing well in a match or in the league....
Man and Ball
29 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This phrase refers to a type of tackle where the defender makes contact with both the opposing player and the ball. It’s often seen as a strong, phy...
Weekly Football Phrase: Man and Ball
29 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The weekly football phrase we introduce in this podcast is 'man and ball7 which is a phrase used in football to describe tackles. The post Weekly Foot...
Learn English Through Football Podcast: (to) Fizz Wide
25 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's football-language podcast we look at a verb phrase connected to shooting and passing. The post Learn English Through Football Podcast: ...
Weekly Football Phrase: (to) Spurn a Chance
23 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week's football phrase is the verb phrase '(to) Spurn a Chance'. This phrase is often to describe an attempt at goal. The post Weekly Football Ph...
Learn English Through Football Podcast: Club Rivalries
19 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's football-language podcast we look at some language connected to club rivalries. We also look ahead to this weekend's football with one ...
Weekly Football Phrase: Claim a spot
16 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this football phrase of the week we look at expressions connected to the word 'qualify', including 'claim a spot' after the recent 2026 World Cup q...
Learn English Through Football Podcast: (to) Bed In
11 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's football-language podcast we look at Liverpool's start to the season and the key phrase is 'to bed in'. The post Learn English Through ...
Learn English Through Football Podcast: To down a team
05 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's football-language podcast we look at some meanings around the phrase, 'to down a team or an opponent'. The post Learn English Through F...
Weekly Football Phrase: (to) Overturn
29 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week's football phrase is the verb 'to overturn'. This phrase is often used when talking about referreing decisions: eg. awarding penalties, red ...
Learn English Through Football Podcast: Finisher
27 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's football-language podcast we look at the meanings around the word, 'finish' in football including finishing and finishers. The post Lea...
Weekly Football Phrase: (a) Low Block
23 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week's football phrase is the noun phrase 'a low block'. This phrase can describe how Manchester City played against Arsenal on Sunday. The post ...
Learn English Through Football Podcast: Stoppage Time Goal
21 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's football-language podcast we look at the phrase, 'stoppage time goal' after some late goals in the Champions League this week. The post...
Weekly Football Phrase: (to) Sweep Aside
15 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week's football phrase is the verb phrase to sweep aside. This phrase describes the Manchester derby played on Sunday. The post Weekly Football P...
Learn English Through Football Podcast: Selection Dilemma
13 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's football-language podcast we look at some more language from the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, including the phrase, 'selection dilemma. W...
Football Phrase of the Week: Straight Red
10 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this football phrase of the week we look at the phrase, 'straight red' from the 2026 World Cup qualifier between Serbia and England. The post Footb...
Learn English Through Football Podcast: Book their place
08 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's football-language podcast we look at a phrase connected to qualifying for a competition or tournament: book their place after some rece...
Football Phrase of the Week: Transfer Window Slams Shut
02 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this football phrase of the week we look at the phrase, 'slam shut' as the transfer window finally closes in many European countries. The post Foot...
Learn English Through Football Podcast: Hijack a Move
31 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's football-language podcast we look at two phrases from the past week: one to do with a shock cup win and the other connected to the tran...
Football Phrase of the Week: Dream Debut
27 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this football phrase of the week we look at the phrase, 'dream debut' after Liverpool's last-minute win over Newcastle in the Premier League. The p...
Learn English Through Football Podcast: Underway
22 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's football-language podcast we look at some language to describe the start of the season, including the phrase, 'get underway'. The post ...
Football Phrase of the Week: (a) Blunder
20 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week's football phrase is the noun, a blunder. This word featured a lot in commentary and reports on Manchester United v Arsenal The post Footbal...
Learn English Through Football Podcast: Son Heung-min in Numbers
05 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Son Heung-min in Numbers: In this week's football-language podcast we look back at some of the key numbers from the Tottenham career of... The post Le...
Football Phrase of the Week: (to) Retain
28 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week's football phrase is the verb to retain. This is the key word from teh Euro 2025 finals as England retained the title of European champions....
Football Phrase of the Week: Claw Away
21 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this football phrase of the week we take a look at the phrase, to claw away, used mostly when talking about goalkeepers The post Football Phrase of...
Football Phrase of the Week: Draw
15 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this football phrase of the week we explain the word, 'draw', and the different ways this word is used in football. The post Football Phrase of the...
Football Phrase of the Week: Find Joy
11 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this football phrase of the week we explain the football phrase, 'find joy', used in a match from the Women's Euro 2025 competition. The post Footb...
Learn English Through Football Podcast: Brazilian Football Phrases
15 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Brazilian Football Phrases: In this week's football-language podcast we look at some football language from Brazil with James Taylor. Do you know what...
Football Phrase of the Week: Margin
03 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this football phrase of the week we look at the word, 'margin' and see how it is used in football. We will look at slim margin and also wide margin...
Learn English Through Football Podcast: New Club World Cup
02 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's football-language podcast we focus on the new Club World Cup and look at the competition through key numbers. The post Learn English Th...
Football Phrase of the Week: Ended Their Hopes
28 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ended Their Hopes: This week's football expression looks back at some of the final games of the season and explains the phrase end their hope The post...
Learn English Through Football Podcast: Off the Line
24 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's football-language podcast we look at some of the language from the 2025 Europa League final between Tottenham and Manchester United and...
Football Phrase of the Week: Clear Goalscoring Opportunity
19 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this football phrase of the week we look at the noun phrase, a clear goalscoring opportunity, which was a key phrase in the FA Cup final at the wee...
Learn English Through Football Podcast: Spare Blushes
17 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's football-language podcast we look at a phrase used after a player misses an easy chance - spare a player's blushes. The post Learn Engl...
Football Phrase of the Week: Confirmed as New Manager
13 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this football phrase of the week we look at the expression, 'Confirmed as New Manager' as Carlo Ancelotti takes up the Brazilian men's national tea...
Learn English Through Football Podcast: To Head Out
10 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's football-language podcast we look at some of the language from the dramatic Champions League semi-final second leg between Inter and Ba...
Football Phrase of the Week: (to) Convert
06 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this football phrase of the week we look at the verb, 'to convert' after some improtant penalties were scored in the race for CL places. The post F...
Learn English Through Football Podcast: In and Around and Liverpool’s Title Win
03 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's football-language podcast we look at a phrase that has recently become quite popular in football, 'in and around' and we will have a sp...
Football Phrase of the Week: Record-equalling 20th league title
29 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this football phrase of the week we look at the expression, 'Record-equalling 20th league title' after Liverpool were crowned champions of the 2024...
Learn English Through Football Podcast: Neck and Neck
26 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's football-language podcast we look at some phrases from horse racing used in football, including neck and neck. The post Learn English T...
Football Phrase of the Week: Shooting Boots
21 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this football phrase of the week we look at the expression, 'shooting boots' after Arsenal's game at Ipswich Town in the Premier League. The post F...
Learn English Through Football Podcast: X-Goal Thriller
19 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's football phrase we look at the phrase X-goal thriller, a phrase used to talk about exciting games. We will focus on the second leg tier...
Football Phrase of the Week: Round the Keeper
14 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this football phrase of the week we look at the phrase, 'round the keeper' after Manchester City player James McAtee scored for Manchester City aga...
Learn English Through Football Podcast: Roll (Your) Studs Over
11 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this podcast we take a look at language, including roll your studs over, describing a great goal scored in the CL quarter finals this week. The p...
Football Phrase of the Week: Seal the title
08 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this football phrase of the week we look at the phrase, 'to seal the title' after PSG won their fourth Ligue 1 title in a row The post Football Phr...
Learn English Through Football Podcast: Qualify [2026 World Cup]
02 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's football-language podcast we look at the word, 'qualify' and how it has been used this week after some of the World Cup qualifiers. The...
Football Phrase of the Week: Turn the Game on Its Head
31 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
For this football phrase of the week we look at a Women's Super League game in England and at the phrase to turn the game on its head. The post Footba...
Football Phrase of the Week: Force Extra Time
25 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this football phrase of the week we look back at the Nations League quarter-final matches and explain the phrase, 'to force extra time' after some ...
Learn English Through Football Podcast: (to) Mark a Debut
22 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's football-language podcast we look at the phrase, 'to mark a debut', which we can use to talk about England vs Albania's World Cup quali...
Football Phrase of the Week: End a Trophy Drought (Carabao Cup Final 2025)
17 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this football phrase of the week we look back at the Carabao Cup final between Newcastle and Liverpool in which Newcastle ended their trophy drough...
Learn English Through Football Podcast: Interview with Hatriqa
15 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's football-language podcast we have an interview with Mark Bailey from Hatriqa (www.hatriqa.com) The post Learn English Through Football ...
Football Phrase of the Week: Cutting edge
12 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this football phrase of the week we look back at Manchester United vs Arsenal game and the phrase, 'cutting edge' The post Football Phrase of the W...
Learn English Through Football Podcast: Smash and Grab
10 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's football-language podcast we look at the phrase, 'smash and grab' after Liverpool's victory over PSG in the Champions League last-16 fi...
Football Phrase of the Week: Reckless Challenge
04 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this football phrase of the week we look back at the FA Cup fifth round game between Crystal Palace and Millwall and the phrase, 'reckless challeng...
Football Phrase of the Week: Hang on for a win
27 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this football phrase of the week we look at the phrase, 'to hang on for a win' from the Manchester City win at Tottenham last week. The post Footba...
Football Phrase of the Week: To close in on the title
25 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this football phrase of the week we explain the expression, 'to close in on the title' after Liverpool's win at Manchester City at the weekend. The...