red card

Meaning

A red card is a card shown by a referee in sports like soccer to order a player off the field for a serious rule violation. In casual conversation, it can also metaphorically mean a final warning or being dismissed from a situation for bad behavior.

Examples

• The referee showed him a red card for a dangerous tackle.

  The referee showed him a red card for a dangerous tackle.

• If you get a red card, you have to leave the field immediately.

  If you get a red card, you have to leave the field immediately.

• He missed the next match because of the red card he got last week.

  He missed the next match because of the red card he got last week.

• The player argued with the referee, but the red card was final.

  The player argued with the referee, but the red card was final.

• My boss almost gave me a red card today for being late again.

  My boss almost gave me a red card today for being late again.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The player made a red card in the first half.

  ✓ The player got a red card in the first half.

  You do not 'make' a red card. Instead, you 'get', 'receive', or 'are shown' a red card.

• ✗ He got a red card but he can still play.

  ✓ He got a red card so he must leave the field.

  A red card means immediate expulsion from the game. If a player can still play after a warning, it is a 'yellow card'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The referee had no choice but to show him a ___ after that bad foul.

  💡 It is the card that makes a player leave the game.

  Show answer

  red card

• If you get another yellow card, it becomes a ___.

  💡 Two yellow cards equal this card.

  Show answer

  red card