Definition of the word cup tie

The term "cup tie" is commonly used in the sport of football (soccer) to describe the matches that take place during a knockout competition. The word "cup" refers to the trophy that is awarded to the winning team, while "tie" comes from the practice of drawing two teams against each other in a round of the competition. The term originated in the late 19th century when the first major football competitions were established. These competitions, such as the FA Cup in England and the Scottish Cup, were structured as knockout tournaments in which teams played successive matches until a single winner emerged. In each round, the competing teams would be paired off at random by drawing numbers or names out of a hat. This process was called "drawn out of the hat" or "pulled out of the hat." The teams so drawn were said to be "drawn together" or "paired off" and were said to have a "tie" or "draw" in the competition. The name "cup tie" gradually came into use to describe the matches themselves, particularly after the FA Cup adopted the two-legged format in the 1930s. This format involved each tie being played over two legs, with the team progressing to the next round being determined by the aggregate score over both matches. In sports writing and commentary, the term "cup tie" continues to be used widely to describe the matches that take place during football competitions, highlighting the excitement and tension of the knockout format as each team fights for the chance to lift thecup ultimate trophy.