"Hasn't looked back"

"Mickey started off on a tear and hasn't looked back."

I edit out this phrase because it's meaningless. It's not literally true, and its figurative meaning isn't even clear. Don't you mean to say that their hot scoring has continued? Why not just say that then?

But, maybe I'm being a hard-ass on this phrase. How to others feel about it?

 

These guys don't look back.

 

Something might be gaining on you.

 

It's right up there (down there?) with descriptions of rallies that come up short, as in "... couldn't get any closer." I swear, I've seen writers use it on one-point deficits. As if they could get within half a run or point or whatever. A quick delete key every time.

 

Needless to say, that phrase sucks. It goes without saying.

 

ok, while we're questioning our hard-assedness, what about "xx unanswered points?" they mean consecutive points. and unless it's the last run of the game, then all runs are eventually answered. perhaps just not very well.

so, hard-ass or greatest editor ever?

 

If you go on a 12-0 run, you've scored 12 unanswered points. During that spell those points went unanswered. I don't see the issue in describing it either way.

 

I hate the word unanswered. What did the points say or ask that didn't get an answer?

12 consecutive points... a 12-0 run. whatever. But points can answer or be answered or unanswered.


Almost as bad as "the third quarter saw..." Bullshit. The third quarter can't see shit. It doesn't have eyes

 

The last point (or points) were answered.

 

'The city saw record sales-tax receipts.'

Makes me want to saw the writer's arms off.

 

Nothing worse than "on the season."