(Oops. Forgot to publish this one yesterday.)
What a lovely day of football - for some. We really enjoyed a couple of the games anyway.
There are two of us who get up religiously at 5:15am so we can watch the games live. Often, we are on opposite sides of the game regarding who we support. Today, one of us (not me) was supporting Italy. Not that I expected New Zealand to beat Italy. I just wanted them to make a good showing. And they did! They had a fantastic first goal and Italy were on their back foot (not "in charge" of the situation). It was great for me. Not for Italy supporters though. And then the only Italian goal was on a penalty. Not that a penalty goal isn't a goal but we expected more from Italy. Everyone did.
Expectations in this Cup are not being realized quite yet. Just talk to the French team. Actually, I wouldn't suggest it as they are in a bit of a cranky (not happy) mood. Or so we hear.
Today's expressions are taken from World Cup announcers and reporters during and between games because we can't ignore some of the words used to describe France's very public problems.
1) "vociferous, eye-catching fans" - "Vociferous" describes someone who makes alot of noise with their voice. People who talk abundantly and/or loudly are considered "vociferous". Fans that yell and sing during a game are vociferous.
"Eye-catching" refers to anyone or anything that does something or has an appearance that makes you look at them. They "stand-out" from the crowd. They are someone you must notice or look at. For example, someone wearing a tuxedo at the local coffee shop would be "eye-catching" because they are wearing something unexpected and different from others in the area. It would be difficult to ignore or not notice this eye-catching person.
2) "a team out of its depth" - To be "out of your depth" is the same as saying "out of your league". This means that you are playing, working or attempting something that is beyond your current level or ability. If you are new at sales, then trying to secure a big contract on your own would mean you are "out of your depth". You won't necessarily fail but you are not expected to succeed.
In the dating world, it is common to tell someone (usually a friend) that the person they are dating is "out of their league". Perhaps your friend is OK-looking but he is currently dating a professional model. They may have many things in common but they don't look equally attractive. So you would tell your friend that the girl he is dating is "out of his league".
Now let us delve into some of the French problems of today.
3) a real "dust-up" - The French team players were quite public with their displeasure at the sending home of one of their teammates - Anelka. The argument that they had in public with the coach and trainer was a "dust-up". This expression is taken from fights that are common in baseball between umpires (referees) and players or team managers. Because the baseball diamond is only dirt (sand and soil depending on the diamond), the yelling during these arguments often ends with one person literally kicking dirt onto the shoes of the other person. This is why we can call an argument a "dust-up" or even refer to is as "kicking up dust".
4) "shambles" - This is how one commentator described the whole public French team problem. A "shambles" is equal to a "mess", "chaos" or a "disaster". You can use any of these when you want to explain to someone that the situation needs help. The most polite and business-friendly way to state this is to say the situation is "disorganized". There was no reason to be overly polite in describing the French situation so "absolute chaos", a "total disaster" or a "shambles" are more appropriate.
Just so you know this..."shambles" is always used in the plural format (with the "s"). If you say "shamble", you are actually using the word as a verb that means to shuffle or drag your feet when you move. Some elderly people and teenagers "shamble" when they are in the mall.
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