park the bus

present singular third person parks the bus · participle present parking the bus · participle past parked the bus · past parked the bus

1. idiomaticball gamesTo attempt to stop the opposition team from scoring a goal by playing extremely defensively and placing as many players as possible behind the ball.

   Pep Guardiola admitted he had no choice but to park the bus against Arsenal, and praised Manchester City’s defensive resilience despite conceding a late equaliser.

   2025 September 21, Ed Aarons, “Guardiola praises Manchester City’s ‘fantastic’ defensive display at Arsenal”, in The Guardian, →ISSN

   3 more examples

   England goalkeeper Gordon Banks resisted everything Liverpool threw at him that day, as City parked the bus and banked on snatching the vital single goal and then holding on.

   2011, John Williams, Red Men: Liverpool Football Club – The Biography

   Dan is Head Groundsman at Swansea, who in 2011/12 won plaudits For their positive, passing game - showing that you don't need to park the bus as a promoted side to retain top-flight status.

   2012, The League Doesn't Lie: The 606 Book of Football Lists, page 311

   Di Matteo planned a strategy that worked – compact, disciplined and compressing the defensive space, semi‑parking the bus in a fashion that was reminiscent of the Special One, the club's former manager.

   2012 April 18, David Pleat, “Chelsea's defensive discipline halts Barcelona's space exploration”, in The Guardian, →ISSN

2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see park, bus.