ball up
The phrase "ball up" can refer to shaping something into a ball, assuming a curled position, or making a mess of a situation, showcasing its versatile use in English.
Definition
B2General
To shape something into a compact, spherical form.
Example
- She balled up the piece of paper and tossed it into the trash.
B2General
To assume a curled position with arms and legs pulled in close to the body.
Example
- The cat balled up on the couch, seeking warmth.
C1Informal
(slang)To make a mess or complicate a situation.
Example
- He balled up the project by ignoring the instructions.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "ball up":
balls upball downball offball outbowl upballs aboutbell upbull upnew ballreturn ballsquare balllong ballno balljump ballplay ballwhite ballred ballbung upplain ballair ballfree ballfly ballcrumple updrop the balltumble uphide the ballball of fluffbubble upon the ballcaptain ballbounce aroundroll upjump upcurl upcramp ballspike upcage balljam upcuff upball returncue ballground ballkick upround upknuckle upbat aroundhop upcorner upball of the thumbbob uprucked upbawl outball gamefall upbox upduke upgolf ballnothing ballbounce backblue ballstee upbug upbound upgame balladvance the ballhem upboil upruck upbounce offother end of the ballheap upbag upballs to the wallrumple upchange upwind upgob upfluff upstiff upbutts upbump upballast uppuff upjumble upblock uphot upgo ballistictape ball