What is the meaning of the phrase ‘End’ in football?

* Find out more about this phrase by reading the transcript below.

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End

In football, the noun end refers to the two sides of the pitch with the goals. Usually, the meaning is the area behind the goals where the fans sit, but it also means the goal area. Often in a football ground there will be one side where the nosiest home fans sit, and this is called the home end. The opposite side, or end, of the pitch is known as the away end. The noun is combined in the phrase ‘end to end‘ to describe exciting action, with both teams attacking both goals. The play moves from one team’s goal to the other team’s goal, with each team taking a turn attacking. One more phrase using today’s focus word, this time as an adjective, is end product, which means the result of the play, the final outcome. Mostly, this phrase will be used in a negative sentence: for example, the end product was poor. It infers that the build up to the shot or the final pass was good, but the move ended weakly.

* Example: It was end to end, however, and De Gea blocked from Romelu Lukaku, whose muscular presence was providing difficulties for United captain Nemanja Vidic. (BBC Report – Man United v Everton 2013/14)

* Example: At the other end Kieran Gibbs threatened with a low cross, Per Mertesacker headed wide and Ramsey drilled off target. (BBC Report – Swansea v Arsenal 2013/14)

* Example: West Brom had been guilty of producing neat midfield passing without any end product but in the final five minutes of the half they not only equalised but took the lead. (BBC Report: West Ham v West Brom 2013/14)