drop the ball

idiom

The idiom 'drop the ball' is derived from sports, where literally dropping the ball signifies a mistake. It is now commonly used to describe various failures or missed opportunities.

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Definition

B2General

(informal)To make a mistake or fail to meet expectations due to negligence or oversight.

Example

She really dropped the ball by forgetting to submit the report on time.

B2Workplace

(informal)To fail to complete a task or fulfill a responsibility, especially at a crucial moment.

Example

The team dropped the ball by missing the project deadline.

B2Opportunities

(informal)To miss an opportunity or fail to take necessary action.

Example

He dropped the ball when he didn't apply for the scholarship.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "drop the ball":

fumble the bag ball down drop back drop behind ball off drop in fall through play ball balls up drop into ball up ball out drop the bomb drop out no ball bomb out return ball free ball let down drop off drop science drop light miss the mark drop someone in it foul up goof up throw down fall behind lay an egg screw up flunk out fall down fall off false drop fall to balls about advance the ball drop letter take the fall drop a bombshell go ballistic lose the plot take a dive air ball hit one out of the ballpark fall foul fail at life hide the ball flake out new ball throw the bull come a cropper strike out long ball pick up the slack fall out lose out hit the wall live drop fall down on drop down get the drop on slack off drop dimes hit a home run drop the f-bomb fall to the ground on the ball bring up short mess up nothing ball bat around