Basic Details
Word: American Football
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: A form of football played mainly in the United States and Canada, where two teams compete to score points by advancing an oval-shaped ball into the opposing team's end zone primarily by running or passing it.
Synonyms: GridIron, Football (in North America)
Antonyms: Soccer (in contrast), Rugby (related but distinct sport)
Idioms and Phrases
- Move the goalposts: To change the rules or demands unfairly, especially in a way that makes success more difficult. Example: "They keep moving the goalposts on this project, so it's hard to finish."
- Throw a Hail Mary: To make a desperate attempt to achieve something, especially in a difficult situation. Example: "With only seconds left, the quarterback threw a Hail Mary to try to win the game."
Usage Examples
Example 1: American Football is one of the most popular sports in the United States, with millions of fans watching every season.
Example 2: The quarterback threw a perfect pass that led to a touchdown in the final minute of the game.
Example 3: Many colleges have American Football teams competing in national championships every year.
Fun Fact
Did you know that the first official game of American Football was played in 1869 between Princeton and Rutgers? The sport evolved from rugby and soccer to develop its unique rules over time.
Famous Quote
"Football is like life it requires perseverance, self-denial, hard work, sacrifice, dedication, and respect for authority." - Vince Lombardi
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What is American Football?
a) A type of soccer played in America
b) A sport involving advancing an oval-shaped ball to score points
c) A game played only on the beach
d) A form of basketball
Answer: b) A sport involving advancing an oval-shaped ball to score points
2. Which of these is a synonym for American Football?
a) Rugby
b) GridIron
c) Baseball
d) Hockey
Answer: b) GridIron
3. What does the idiom "move the goalposts" mean?
a) To change rules unfairly
b) To score a goal
c) To celebrate a win
d) To start a new game
Answer: a) To change rules unfairly
4. Which sentence uses "Hail Mary" correctly?
a) He threw a Hail Mary pass to try and win the game.
b) She prayed for rain during the match.
c) The team played a friendly soccer game.
d) They moved the goalposts before the game started.
Answer: a) He threw a Hail Mary pass to try and win the game.
5. When was the first official American Football game played?
a) 1920
b) 1869
c) 1901
d) 1885
Answer: b) 1869
