up-and-under

IPA/ˌʌp ən ˈʌndə(r)/
IPA/ˌʌp ən ˈʌndər/

up-and-under — noun

1. a rugby kick that sends the ball high and forward, giving the kicking side time

1.nounC2
Definition

a rugby kick that sends the ball high and forward, giving the kicking side time to run under it before it drops.

Example

James sent a high up-and-under toward the corner flag.

kick an up-and-under

The full-back caught the up-and-under despite the heavy rain.

catch/field an up-and-under

Common collocations
  • kick an up-and-under
  • chase an up-and-under
  • field an up-and-under
  • well-placed up-and-under
Synonyms
  • high kick

    broad term; can describe any kick sent high into the air

  • bomb

    more informal, especially in rugby commentary; stresses the hanging flight

  • Garryowen

    traditional rugby term for a contestable high kick

Antonyms
  • grubber

    a low kick that stays near the ground instead of hanging in the air

Grammar Patterns

kick an up-and-under

chase an up-and-under

field an up-and-under

Usage Note

Most often used after verbs like kick, chase, field, or collect. Unlike a grubber, an up-and-under is meant to hang in the air so the chasing side can compete for the catch.

Common Mistakes

The winger rolled an up-and-under along the grass.
The winger sent an up-and-under high into the air.
an up-and-under is a hanging kick, not a low rolling one.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

In rugby, up-and-under names a fairly specific attacking kick. High kick is the broadest label and can describe any kick that rises into the air. An up-and-under usually suggests a contestable kick: it hangs long enough for the kicking side to chase and challenge for the catch. Bomb is a more informal term, common in commentary, for a very high hanging kick that puts the receiver under pressure. Grubber is the opposite shape of kick, because it is kept low and made to skip or roll along the ground. Choose up-and-under when you mean the classic tactical kick that goes up, hangs, and invites a chase underneath it.

up-and-under ↗high kickbomb ↗grubber

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • kick an up-and-under
  • chase an up-and-under
  • field an up-and-under

Etymology

Old EnglishModern English

A transparent modern rugby compound built from up and under. The name describes the shape and purpose of the kick: the ball goes up into the air, and the chasing players try to get under it before or as it comes down. The term developed in British and Irish rugby usage and later spread through wider English-language rugby writing.