"third and long"

Question

I found:

Currently the opposing camps are duking it out in the journals. (See the September 2002 Journal of Comparative Psychology for the latest irruption.) I won't say the prosynchrony crowd is out of the game, but right now it's third and long. (Full context if you need it: [url="http://www.straightdope.com/columns/021220.html"]The Straight Dope[/url]. -- And don't ask how I stumbled over this specific page [;)] )

After a google search I assume it means "prosynchrony crowd is losing ground and will need effort to gain it back".

My questions are:

1. Did I get the meaning right?

2. Does this idiom come from American Football or are there other sources?

3. Is it only rarely used? (Google has only 19,400 hits opposing over 300,000 for "losing ground")

cu

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

Hi Eagle,

You've got it, but the situation for the 'prosynchrony crowd' is perhaps worse. They have almost lost the argument. Not completely, but they are in a difficult position. It is American/Canadian football (at least-- I do not know whether it applies to Australian football or rugby): the third chance of four, and they have a lot of yardage to cover, i.e. a lot of distance to go in order to score. The 'long' I don't believe applies simply to the yardage, but to the need for a long pass (by the quarterback to a teammate who is a long distance down the field)-- this would suggest that they need an outstanding play (maneuver) in order to get back into the competition.

As for (3), it is what I would call an arcane idiomatic reference: that is, it requires a considerable interest in sports to understand it, whereas 'losing ground' has more general sources and is much more generally understood.

Ericupsman · Answer

Hello,

"Third and long" definately applies to American football (and maybe others). For a team to score, they must get the ball to the 'endzone.' If a team is unable to run or pass the ball all the way to the endzone all at once, they are afforded the opportunity to do so in several plays.

A 'down' is a period of play from a team's first possession - a single play. The period of action starts when the ball is put into play and ends when it is dead (players knees touch the ground, he is tackled, ball lands on ground, etc).

'First down' is obviously the beginning of this period, you get another first down and
can keep possession of the ball if you advance 10 yards . if you don't advance 10 yards in 4 tries, the ball goes to the other team, and it starts all over again.

Here are some examples: If your team has possession and runs the ball four yards, you have not achieved a first down. But you have three more attempts. Now it is called "2nd and Six." This means - second down with six yards remaining to achieve your next first down. Now your team runs the ball an additional three yards, a total now of seven yards, still not enough for a first down. But again, you have another try. Now it is "3rd and 3" (3rd down - 3 yards to go) etc. etc. etc.

If you are on your third down (attempt) and have more than 50% of the way left to go to acheive another first down (5 yards or more), it is usually referred to as "third and long."

I apologize for the lengthy explanation, but perhaps it will help you better understand the true meaning of the idiom.

I would have to say "third and long" is not a commonly used idiom in the United States, but an effective and creative one. It's simply a way of saying "you still have a chance, but it will not be easy."

Have a great day,

Eric

"third and long"

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