off the post

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "off the post" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the context of sports, particularly soccer or hockey, to describe a shot that hits the goalpost and does not go in. Example: "The striker took a powerful shot, but it hit off the post and bounced back into play."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It went off the post and in".

The New York Times - Sports

I was able to pick it off the post".

The New York Times - Sports

McAlary thinks he's going to sell off the Post.

The New Yorker

He almost scored a spectacular 30-yard goal but it rattled off the post.

The New York Times

The shot was beyond Cech, but it cannoned off the post.

The New York Times - Sports

Three of their shots beat Penguins goalie Marc-André Fleury, only to ring off the post.

The New York Times

Late in the period, Mike Stapleton's 50-footer from the right side clanged off the post.

The New York Times - Sports

The ball bounced off the post and rolled along the goal line before crossing over it.

The New York Times - Sports

The ball was still rising as it thudded off the post.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

First off, the post-mortem.

The New York Times

Retailers shrugged off the post-Brexit vote blues.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a near-miss in sports, using "off the post" is effective for conveying the narrow margin between a miss and a goal. Be sure to provide context indicating which sport you are referencing.

Common error

Avoid using "off the post" in contexts outside of sports where objects strike vertical supports. This phrase is very sports-specific and may not be understood in other settings.

Linguistic Context

"Off the post" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically used as an adverbial modifier to describe how an object (usually a ball or puck) made contact with the goalpost in sports. As Ludwig AI states, it is correct and usable in written English, primarily within a sports context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Wiki

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "off the post" is a common prepositional phrase used primarily in sports contexts to describe a shot that hits the goalpost. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, particularly within sports reporting. It's a neutral expression frequently found in news and media sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. Alternatives include "hit the upright" or "struck the post". While grammatically sound, using "off the post" outside of sports contexts can lead to misunderstanding or sound odd. The prevalence of this phrase in sports media makes it easily recognizable and effective for conveying near-misses in games.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hit the upright

Replaces "post" with "upright", another term for the vertical goal support, maintaining the same meaning.

struck the post

Uses "struck" instead of "off", providing a more formal alternative with identical meaning.

clanged off the post

Adds the verb "clanged" to emphasize the sound of the impact, highlighting a specific auditory detail.

ricocheted off the post

Specifies the action of bouncing off the post, adding detail about the ball's trajectory.

rebounded off the post

Similar to "ricocheted", but focuses on the return movement after hitting the post.

deflected off the post

Implies that the post altered the object's course, emphasizing the influence of the post.

the ball kissed the post

A more poetic way to describe the ball lightly touching the post, adding a stylistic flair.

grazed the post

Indicates a very slight contact with the post, implying minimal impact on the object's path.

came back off the post

Emphasizes the direction of the object after impacting the post. rebounded off the post

hit the woodwork

Replaces the term post with a broader term "woodwork".

FAQs

What does it mean when a sports commentator says "off the post"?

In sports like soccer or hockey, "off the post" means that a shot hit the goalpost instead of going into the goal. It indicates a very close attempt at scoring.

Are there other ways to say "off the post" in sports commentary?

Yes, you can also say the shot "hit the upright", "struck the post", or "clanged off the post" to describe the same event.

Is the phrase "off the post" grammatically correct?

Yes, "off the post" is grammatically correct and commonly used in sports reporting and discussions. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Can "off the post" be used in contexts other than sports?

While technically understandable, "off the post" is strongly associated with sports. Using it in other contexts might sound odd or be confusing. Stick to sports-related scenarios for clarity.