Boxing

Boxing is a combat sport that entails punching one's opponent. In both amateur and professional versions, the fighters wear padded gloves, attacking only with the front of the fist. In professional boxing each round usually lasts for three minutes and there may be 4-12 rounds in a bout. The winner is the one who knocks out his opponent or is judged to be the winner at the end of the bout or if the referee or ring side doctor stops the fight. Boxing is also called Pugilism and prizefighting.

Impact of Boxing on the English Language

Numerous metaphors common to everyday speech derive from the sport of boxing. Some of these include:

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• not up to scratch -- subpar, not able to do the task at hand (in the old days of boxing, boxers started the round by stepping over a scratch made in the ring, but if a boxer could not do this to keep the round going, he/she was said to be "not up to scratch")
• he was rocked by that one -- a fighter was hit by a punch with enough force to be dazed
• saved by the bell -- rescued from defeat by dint of time running out, an unexpected turn of events, etc.
• on the ropes -- on the verge of being defeated
• throw in the towel -- to quit, give up
• come out swinging -- to throw oneself into an activity or competition
• in one's corner -- on someone's side, to help or cheer him on
• down for the count -- knocked out, defeated
• sucker punch -- hitting an opponent who is off his guard, unfairly taking advantage of a vulnerability
• hitting below the belt -- a grossly unfair attack (in everyday life, usually of a verbal nature)
• punch drunk -- dazed or incoherent (originally, from being repeatedly struck, can refer to dazes generally)
• pull one's punches -- to hold back, withhold full force or attack
• in the arena -- to be participating, engaged
• keep your guard up -- to remain alert, on the defensive