park the bus

park the bus

In football (soccer), to employ all (or nearly all) of a team's active players in defending its own side of the pitch. Protecting a narrow one-point lead, it looks like the home team has parked the bus for the remaining minutes of the match.
See also: bus, park
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • employ (someone) for (something)
  • employ for
  • employ in
  • employ (someone) in (something)
  • employ as
  • employ
  • employ (someone) as (something)
  • straight and narrow, (walk) the
  • straight and narrow, the
  • the straight and narrow
References in periodicals archive
"I don't think it would be in our principles and in our heads to park the bus because you're always leaving yourself open to be punished.
United had been playing antifootball, as I call it, but don't think that Ole isn't afraid to park the bus either.
United had been playing anti-football, as I call it, but don't think that Ole isn't afraid to park the bus, either.
"If it means we collect points if we park the bus, let's do it.
Asked if he expected Mourinho to "park the bus" in today's Old Trafford contest, the German said: "I would never use that (phrase) in this specific game.
Reds' boss Klopp, whose men are the Premier League's second-highest scorers this season, was asked if he expected Mourinho to "park the bus" in this lunchtime's Old Trafford contest.
"If we were to park the bus constantly in home games people would whistle us out of the stadium because they think that's not what we want to watch, and we don't win anything.
"No, we won't go and park the bus - I haven't tried to park the bus anywhere," said McCarthy, who only had 15 fit and available first team players for one training session this week.
A video posted by Benjamin Mendy's friend on Instagram showed them chanting 'park the bus, park the bus, Man United.' The chant was started by the fans at the 2-1 derby win at Old Trafford where the City faithful took great delight in mocking the tactics of their rivals.
The clip shows treble-winning boss Rodgers driving a bus - days after pundits advised him to "park the bus" in Champion's League games following a 7-1 away defeat to PSG.
IAN RUSH believes that Wales could face a different type of challenge in the future - conquering opponents who will "look to park the bus."
It will be hard yes, West Brom will have no great ambitions and they will park the bus with those big defenders who won't move.
But beware if Stoke try to "park the bus" - the last team to do so, Crystal Palace, were not only able to park the bus but also to get out and take a few rewarding strolls through the City defence.Michael Grainger, Ely, Cardiff
But Sphinx lost two players to red cards after the break and had to "park the bus" to hold on to their lead and bounce back after the previous weekend's 6-1 mauling at Westfields in the FA Vase.
WOJCIECH SZCZESNY has warned Ipswich they can park the bus or as many tractors as they want in front of goal at Emirates Stadium tonight, but eventually Arsenal will break them down and reach the Carling Cup final.