offside

Everyday

1. (in sports like football/soccer, rugby and hockey) In a position on the field that the rules don't allow, usually too far forward, ahead of the ball or the other team's last defender. tree →
2. (UK, of a car) On the side nearest the middle of the road (the driver's side in the UK). tree →

In the lessons

In PE and sport: the offside rule stops players waiting near the goal; the assistant referee raises a flag for offside, and a goal scored offside doesn't count. Phrases: «be offside», «the offside rule», «flagged offside», «offside trap».

Examples

• The goal didn't count because he was offside. tree →
• The linesman raised his flag for offside. tree →
• Can you explain the offside rule? tree →
• She ran too early and was caught offside. tree →
• In rugby you're offside if you're in front of the ball when it's played. tree →
• Our team used an offside trap. tree →

Note

One word (also written off-side). Opposite: onside. In word problems about sport, offside goals do not count in the score.