The world of sports has inspired a number of popular expressions over the years, including down for the count, hitting below the belt, and cutting (them) off at the knees. The expression take a knee is believed to have been inspired by American football, although many soccer players may also be familiar with the basic concept. There are actually several different connotations of the expression, from a disciplinary action to a strategic play on the field.

In American football, one team may hold a very slim point lead over its opponent during the final seconds of the game. If that team has possession of the ball, the coach may order the quarterback to take a knee, meaning he should immediately drop to one knee on the ground after receiving the snap. This maneuver protects the leading team from making a costly error during a pass or running play. Because the play clock continues to run after the quarterback takes a knee, the leading team can simply allow the time to run out without executing a single additional play.

Sometimes a player on a soccer or American football team may commit an unnecessary foul on the field or otherwise fail to meet his or her coach's expectations. As a disciplinary action, that player may be ordered to take a knee, which means he or she must immediately leave the playing field and kneel in a conspicuous spot along the sidelines. This exercise in public humiliation often inspires a player to become more focused or team-oriented once the punishment has been lifted.

There are also times during practice or game day that a coach may want to address all of his players, or at least the starting line-up, at the same time. He or she may ask the team to take a knee, meaning to assume a more comfortable kneeling position during the meeting. This is not meant to humiliate or intimidate players, but to allow every player an opportunity to view the coach or read a chart or rest before resuming play.

The expression take a knee has also entered pop culture as shorthand for begging off on an unpopular project or activity. A person may decide to take a knee instead of attending a lengthy award ceremony or company dinner, for example. A single person may decide to take a knee instead of going on a potentially disastrous blind date. Sometimes protecting a slim lead by falling on the ball is preferable to a costly fumble or humiliating interception.