swallow the olive

[Victor Steinbok]

An entirely different expression and in a college game yesterday. It's
quite common for commentators (as well as reporters and columnist) to
state that someone "has reached a plateau", e.g., "100 run plateau",
"1000 yards plateau", etc. It was only a matter of time before someone
said, "He /passed/ 1000 yards plateau." That time was yesterday.

One more incidental--this meaning ("reaching the plateau" meaning
"reaching a notable mark/threshold/achievement") is not covered. Of all
on-line dictionaries, only MWOLD has a corresponding definition:

> 3*:* a level of attainment or achievement <the 500-point /plateau/>

     VS-)

On 11/27/2011 4:04 PM, Charles C Doyle wrote:
> During the Atlanta Falcons vs. Minnesota Vikings football game this afternoon, one of the commentators referred to a particularly inaccurate pass as "swallowing the olive."
>
> --Charlie

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