be a good sport

Meanings

1. 1phraseidiominformalapproving

   To accept a loss, joke or inconvenience cheerfully, without complaining or getting angry.

   Grammar: Often an invitation: be a good sport and help us; the verb be changes: is, was, being.

   Patterns

   • be a good sport about something

   She was a good sport about losing the game and congratulated the winners.

   Be a good sport and let your little brother go first.

   He was a good sport when the team teased him about his haircut.

2. 2phraseidiominformal

   To agree to do a favor or something slightly unpleasant to help someone.

   Grammar: Often a request: be a good sport and drive us home.

   Patterns

   • be a good sport and do something

   Be a good sport and take my shift on Saturday.

   The neighbors were good sports about the noisy party.

Word forms

Common combinations

be a good sport about it

He was a good sport about it when he lost the bet.

prove a good sport

She proved a good sport when the prank backfired.

a really good sport

Jin is a really good sport and laughs at himself.

be a good sport and

Be a good sport and hold the door for me.

Synonyms and how they differ

gracious loser

It focuses on accepting defeat politely, while a good sport also covers cheerful cooperation.

good-natured

It describes personality, whereas be a good sport describes behavior in a specific situation.

easygoing

It describes a relaxed person in general, while good sport is about accepting something unwelcome.

Opposites

Word family

sport noun

a person who behaves fairly or cheerfully

sportsmanship noun

fair and generous behavior in competition

spoilsport noun

a person who ruins others' fun

sporting adjective

fair and generous

Commonly confused: be a good sport or sporty?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “be a good sport”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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