ENGLISH
REFERENCE

early bath

idiom
Meaning

The condition of being shown a red card in soccer.


Origin

disputed origin

From the belief that players bathe together after a match, so if a player gets sent off, he or she can get into the bath before the other players.

Examples
SIMPLE

The player received a red card and took an early bath.

CONTEXTUAL

After his reckless tackle, the referee sent the defender off for an early bath.

COMPLEX

The captain's frustration boiled over, resulting in a dangerous foul that earned him an early bath before the first half concluded.

Anchors to
Related idioms7entries
  1. 01

    be a hundred years too early

    To be so immature and unprepared as to have no hope of achieving an accomplishment.

  2. 02

    bright and early

    (Very) early in the morning.

  3. 03

    call it an early night

    To go to bed or cease one's activities earlier in the evening than usual.

  4. 04

    Christmas come early

    Something very delightful or fortunate that is happening or has happened, especially earlier than expected.

  5. 05

    early bird

    A person who wakes early or arrives early, typically before most others.

  6. 06

    it's early days

    Indicating it is too soon to know the outcome of a situation, often implying it is too early to make a judgment or prediction.

  7. 07

    take a bath

    To lose a large amount of money in an investment.

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