ball
(bɔːl )
Word forms: balls , balling , balled
1. countable noun A1
A ball is a round object that is used in games such as tennis, baseball, football, basketball, and cricket.
...a golf ball.
...a tennis ball.
Synonyms: sphere, drop, globe, pellet
2. countable noun A1
A ball is something or an amount of something that has a round shape.
Thomas screwed the letter up into a ball.
They heard a loud explosion and saw a ball of fire go up. [+ of]
3. verb [Also VERB PARTICLE noun (not pronoun)]
When you ball something or when it balls, it becomes round.
He picked up the sheets of paper, and balled them tightly in his fists. [VERB noun adverb/preposition]
His hands balled into fists. [VERB adverb/preposition]
I picked up the balled socks. [VERB-ed]
Ball up means the same as ball.
She balled the handkerchief up and threw it at his feet. [VERB noun PARTICLE]
Brian's face balled up like a fist. [VERB PARTICLE]
4. countable noun
The ball of your foot or the ball of your thumb is the rounded part where your toes join your foot or where your thumb joins your hand.
5. countable noun
A ball is a large formal social event at which people dance.
6. countable noun [usually plural]
A man's balls are his testicles. [informal, rude]
7. See also balls
8. the ball is in sb's court phrase
If you say that the ball is in someone's court, you mean that it is his or her responsibility to take the next action or decision in a situation.
The ball's now in your court–you have to decide what you're going to do.
9. get the ball rolling/set the ball rolling phrase
If you get the ball rolling, set the ball rolling, or start the ball rolling, you start something happening.
He will try to get the ball rolling again on peace talks.
I just want enough cash to start the ball rolling.
10. have a ball phrase [VERB inflects]
If you are having a ball, you are having a very enjoyable time. [informal]
Judging by the gales of laughter, they were having a ball.
11. keep several balls in the air phrase [VERB inflects]
If you keep several balls in the air, you try to do several different things at once.
The toughest part of the job is keeping all the balls in the air.
...unhappy mothers trying to juggle ten balls in the air.
12. on the ball phrase
If someone is on the ball, they are very alert and aware of what is happening.
She really is on the ball; she's bought houses at auctions so she knows what she's doing.
13. to play ball phrase
If someone refuses to play ball, they are unwilling to do what someone wants them to do. [informal]
The association has threatened to withdraw its support if the banks refuse to play ball.
Synonyms: cooperate, play the game, show willing, pitch in [informal]
Phrasal verbs:
ball up
ball [sense 3]
Image of ball
© Africa Studio, Shutterstock
Idioms:
take your eye off the ball
to stop paying attention for a moment, with the result that things go wrong for you. Compare keep your eye on the ball.
Any reorganization is disruptive. It makes key management take their eye off the only ball.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
keep your eye on the ball
to continue to pay close attention to what you are doing. Compare take your eye off the ball.
She won widespread praise for her innovation, her tough negotiating skills and her ability to keep things moving, keep her eye on the ball.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
throw someone a curve ball [mainly US]
to surprise someone by doing something unexpected, sometimes putting them at a disadvantage
Our plan is to go into the winter with our reservoirs full, just in case Mother Nature throws us a curve ball next spring.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
the whole ball of wax [mainly US]
the whole of something. The usual British expression is the whole caboodle.
Perry wanted it all, the whole ball of wax. He wanted the Society for himself.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
take the ball and run with it
to take an idea or plan that someone else has started and develop it in order to see if it will be successful or useful
It's up to him. If he studies, fine. If not, there's nothing we can do. He's the one who has to take the ball and run with it.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
set the ball rolling or start the ball rolling
to start an activity or do something which other people will join in with later
Consider having a senior person start the ball rolling with a particularly crazy idea so that others feel less intimidated about speaking up.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
play ball
to do what someone has asked you to do, or to work with them in order to achieve something that you both want
The Association of British Insurers has threatened to withdraw its support if the banks and building societies refuse to play ball.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
a new ball game or a different ball game
a situation that has changed so much that people will have to change the way they deal with it or consider it
If military force were to be used, then that could be a completely different ball game.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
have a ball
to enjoy yourself very much
Why not go out and see if there's some place we can dance? Let's go and have a ball.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
drop the ball [mainly US]
to do something stupid or something that shows you have no skill
There are people who'd like to see me fail, I know that. But I'm not afraid. I won't drop the ball.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
a crystal ball
a way of saying what will happen in the future
What you need to help you select your new car is a crystal ball to tell you how much it will be worth a few years down the road.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
be on the ball
to be quick to notice what is happening and quick to respond to things
You can't bumble along in this business. You have to be on the ball.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
behind the eight ball [mainly US]
in trouble or in a difficult situation
If a child doesn't get the basics in primary school they are way behind the eight ball.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
the ball is in someone's court
said to mean that it is someone's responsibility to decide what to do next in a particular situation
The ball is now in his court. I, and indeed others, have told him quite clearly what we think. He has to decide.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
a ball and chain
someone or something that limits your freedom to do what you want
Our national debt is an economic ball and chain dragging us down, keeping longer term interest rates high.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Collocations:
charity ball chase the ball disco ball glitter ball ping-pong ball
Recently, I met a Danish artist at a charity ball.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
We don't go to charity balls, we don't go to premieres.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
In June it threw its annual charity ball in Horse Guards Parade off Whitehall.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
An opponent is tripped up while chasing the ball, leaving him writhing on the pitch.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
A sudden pain in that area while you're chasing the ball means you've torn a muscle.
The Sun (2012)
We'd spend all day hitting golf balls, chasing cricket balls and kicking footballs with the other kids on the caravan park.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It was like an Eighties party without the disco ball.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
We went up a pink staircase, past a gigantic disco ball.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
She's wearing more sparkle than a disco ball.
The Sun (2011)
Above the dance floor hangs a huge glitter ball.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Half-naked dancers danced round a disco glitter ball.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
She is photographed here with her favourite object, a giant glitter ball.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
A ping-pong ball bounced across the floor.
The Crossing-Place (1993)
First, bounce a ping-pong ball into a pint glass.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
I can be quite manic and my brain sometimes feels like a ping-pong ball bouncing around.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Translations:
Chinese: 球, 舞会
Japanese: ボール toy, 舞踏会 dance