five hole: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, Sports Jargon
Quick answer
What does “five hole” mean?
In ice hockey, a term referring to the space between a goaltender's legs.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
In ice hockey, a term referring to the space between a goaltender's legs.
Colloquially, it can refer to scoring through that gap or, more broadly, any vulnerable opening or gap between someone's legs in sports or playful contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is used identically in both varieties, but its frequency is vastly higher in North America where ice hockey is more popular.
Connotations
Conveys a successful, often skillful, scoring play in hockey. No negative connotations.
Frequency
Virtually never used in general UK English outside of ice hockey coverage or fandom. Common in US/Canadian sports media.
Grammar
How to Use “five hole” in a Sentence
[Shooter] + [verb: 'shoots', 'scores', 'beats'] + [Goaltender] + through the five hole.The [noun: 'shot', 'puck', 'goal'] + went + five hole.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “five hole” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The forward managed to five-hole the keeper with a quick backhand.
American English
- He five-holed the goalie to win the game in overtime.
adverb
British English
- He shot the puck five hole.
American English
- She went five hole for the winning score.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Not applicable outside of sports science or sociology of sport papers.
Everyday
Rare, only among ice hockey players or fans.
Technical
Standard ice hockey commentary and analysis.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “five hole”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “five hole”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “five hole”
- Using it to refer to any gap (e.g., in a fence).
- Misspelling as "five whole".
- Using it as a verb without context (e.g., "He five-holed it").
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It originates from ice hockey. The numbering system for a goaltender's scoring areas traditionally considers the space between the legs as the fifth target, hence 'five hole'.
Yes, in informal hockey parlance (e.g., 'He five-holed the goalie'). It's jargon and not standard in general English.
No, it is exclusive to ice hockey. In football/soccer, commentators would say 'through the goalkeeper's legs' or 'nutmeg' (for a player, not a shot).
Yes. In goaltending jargon, the four holes are the open spaces above the goalie's legs and beside their torso: glove side high (1), glove side low (2), blocker side high (3), blocker side low (4). The 'five hole' (between the legs) is the fifth major target.
In ice hockey, a term referring to the space between a goaltender's legs.
Five hole is usually informal, sports jargon in register.
Five hole: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfaɪv ˌhəʊl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfaɪv ˌhoʊl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Go five hole on someone”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the number five: the two legs of the goalie (forming two lines) and the puck going through the middle (like the horizontal line in a '5') create the five hole.
Conceptual Metaphor
VULNERABILITY IS AN OPEN HOLE / SUCCESS IS PENETRATING A DEFENSE.
Practice
Quiz
In ice hockey, what does 'five hole' specifically refer to?