General
diving
What does diving mean?
A form of cheating where a player throws themselves to the ground to win a free kick or penalty that isn't there.
"There was no contact — he went down like he'd been shot, pure diving."
Origin
Descriptive; the player 'dives' theatrically; also 'simulation'.
Frequently asked questions
What does diving mean in football?
It is a form of cheating where a player deliberately throws themselves to the ground to con the referee into awarding a free kick or penalty.
What is the difference between diving and simulation?
They mean the same thing. 'Simulation' is the formal term used by referees and the laws of the game, while 'diving' is the everyday slang.
What is the punishment for diving?
A player caught diving is typically shown a yellow card for unsporting behaviour, and offences can be reviewed retrospectively.
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Vocabulary Flow — saved to your collection.
