Spain versus Germany. Even I didn't expect to see the game we saw.
I thought I knew the Spanish game pretty well but they surprised me with the "cat and mouse" tactics they used with Germany. Although there were one or two "hairy" moments, Spain "thwarted" the German attacks. Germany "were not themselves" for the entire game - it seemed to me. They didn't keep control of the possession as well as expected, especially during the second half, and when they did attack Spain's defense was effective and their keeper - Iker Casillas - was "on his game".
When I was living in Madrid, the 2008 FIFA European Cup was played. The advertising campaign for Spain was very simple - "Podemos" (We can.). The commercials showed different members of the team over and over just saying the same thing - "podemos". As the competition progressed and Spain continued to do well, the ads were more and more frequently seen. It somehow "rallied" a people (at least in Madrid) that had lost faith in their team. Every win and every ad increased belief in the team, for the Spanish citizens and the team members. You could see it on every face you passed. It was quite incredible to see such positive ideas in action. And, in the end, it worked. Spain did win the FIFA 2008 European Cup. Much to the amazement and glee of millions of Spanish.
Now, because of those events in 2008, does Spain have the advantage? Can they do it again? I hope they are saying in the streets, on television and in the papers - "Podemos".
1) "leading by example" - This expression was used to describe Lahm, the German captain, because of his consistency and good attitude during the game. Because he is the leader of the team (as the captain) and because he played well we say he is "leading by example". He is showing those he is leading - the other team members - how he wants them to proceed. We use this expression anywhere a leader is found including work situations. For example: "I really like that Maria is the head of this department. She doesn't just tell us what to do and then sit in her office. She works with us every day and if a project goes past schedule, she stays to work after hours with the rest of her team. She is an excellent team lead because she leads by example."
2) "cat and mouse" tactics - Usually, this refers to a competition between two opponents. It can be two companies negotiating terms for a sale, two teams playing a game, or even two governments trying to decide how to settle an armed disagreement. The term "cat and mouse" is very simply taken from how a cat would play with a mouse. The cat catches the mouse and then it lets the mouse go, not very far, and then it catches it again. Any large movement by the cat would allow the mouse a chance to get away. So any two sides that have opposite motives (the cat wants to eat or kill the mouse and the mouse wants to be free) can use "cat and mouse" strategies. One side will offer something, then the other side will offer something - a definite negotiation. Neither side will say or do anything too strong (like suggest the other company lower their asking price by 50%) because they want to continue playing (negotiating) and they want the other side to make the big move. It is a strategy of small moves and waiting. You want the other side to tell or show you exactly what they want so you can counter their request.
3) something is "hairy" - The football announcer described a few moments when the ball was almost kicked into goal as "some hairy moments" for the goalkeeper. It describes something that is dangerous, awkward or risky. This is a very informal expression and probably shouldn't be used in business unless you are very comfortable with your audience. "When the ladder fell backwards off the roof, we had a few hairy moments trying to get down."
4) to "thwart" - Other verbs meaning the same include: frustrate, foil, derail or prevent. We use "thwart" when we talk about trying to outwit (use your intelligence to beat someone) or overcome an opponent. "His attempts to get a date with the girl from the coffee house were thwarted when her boyfriend walked up to him and told him to stop." This term is fairly formal and can be used in business. For example: "Our company wanted to decrease the number of employees it has so it could save money on health benefit payments. But the union thwarted them by reminding management that employees were not allowed to work overtime. So the company had to find another way to try to save money."
5) to not "be yourself" - An expression used anytime someone is acting unusual or not normal. If your mother-in-law starts asking you about your sister and you know that she doesn't like your sister, then she is not acting like herself. If someone is ill or not concentrating well, we can say they are not themselves. "I was awake until 4 am because of the baby. I can't remember when my meeting is and I can't seem to focus. I am really not myself today." "After you get some sleep, you will be back to being yourself again."
6) to be "on your game" - Obviously, this expression refers to sporting activities but we can use it anywhere. To be "on their game" someone has to be doing a good job or performing very well. If your sister is in marketing and she plans a really popular ad campaign, then you can say "she was on her game" when she thought up that idea. The opposite of this expression is also common. Perhaps the best salesman in your office just lost a big account. You could say that "he was not on his game" or "he was off his game" when he lost that account.
7) to "rally" - This word can be a verb or a noun. As a verb it has more than one meaning (Hooray for the simple language of English!). The meaning used in the above example is to "join forces" or to "get together" a group of people. The Spanish people were "rallied" in 2008 by positive results from their football team in the 2008 FIFA European Cup and by ads that ran throughout Spain. The people were brought together to believe that winning was possible. We usually use "rally" when things have not been positive but are starting to get better because people worked together or start thinking the same way. For example: "After months of looking for work, I was tired and had started to lose hope. But I rallied myself and when I walked into my interview, I was positive I would get the job." "The sales team was having a bad month. But the team leader got everyone together for a mid-week meeting and gave them an uplifting speech full of positive support. This really rallied the sales team and the following month the sales figures exceeded all expectations."
Enjoy the race for third place. Can Uruguay rally or will Germany dominate?
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