English Reference
Noun

layup

n.
B2 Upper Intermediate layup UK spelling layups

n.a simple basketball shot where you jump and put the ball into the hoop. It is usually easy to make because you are close to the basket.

n.a basketball shot taken while jumping toward the basket, typically from a short distance. Often used in a figurative sense to describe an easy or guaranteed success.


SIMPLE

He made a perfect layup to win the game.

CONTEXTUAL

The coach told the player to take a layup instead of trying to shoot from the three-point line.

COMPLEX

The rookie's ability to finish with a layup under pressure proved to be the deciding factor in the championship series.


From lay + up.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated