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football

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Football's a game of two halves.

sports cliché In football (soccer), the fortunes of each team can reverse dramatically between the two 45-minute halves of play. Used especially in sports reporting and analysis. Barcelona has overcome a four-goal deficit to defeat Real Madrid. Football really is a game of two halves.

See also: game, of, two

political football

A problem or situation that causes an argument between different political parties, often in an attempt to gain an advantage. It didn't take too long before the issue of property taxes turned into a political football for the candidates.

See also: football, political

political football

Fig. an issue that becomes politically divisive; a problem that doesn't get solved because the politics of the issue get in the way. The question of campaign contributions has become a political football. All the politicians who accept questionable money are pointing fingers at each other.

See also: football, political

a political football

a problem that politicians from different parties argue about and try to use in order to get an advantage for themselves We don't want the immigration issue to become a political football.

See also: football, political