ball
noun /bɔːl/
/bɔːl/
Idioms 
enlarge imagea round object used for throwing, hitting or kicking in games and sports- a golf/tennis/bowling/soccer ball
- to hit/throw/kick/catch a ball
- He kicked the ball into the net.
- Bounce the ball and try and hit it over the net.
- The kids were playing with a bat and ball in the park.
- The ball bounced off down the road.
Extra ExamplesTopics Sports: ball and racket sportsa1, Games and toysa1- Oh no! He's dropped the ball.
- She chased the ball all over the pitch.
- The ball flew over the bar into the sea of Middlesbrough fans.
- The ball hit me on the head.
- The ball hit the wall and rolled along the road.
- The catcher missed the ball.
- The fielders try to retrieve the ball quickly and return it to the bowler.
- The kids love to kick a ball against my wall.
- He's an excellent ball handler.
- His ball control was excellent.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- bowling
- cricket
- golf
- …
- play with
- head
- hit
- …
- go
- travel
- float
- …
- game
- control
- handling
- …
- ball (of something) a round object or a thing that has been formed into a round shape
- The sun was a huge ball of fire low on the horizon.
- a ball of yarn/string
- The little girl curled into a ball in her mother's arms.
- Some animals roll themselves into a ball for protection.
- He screwed the letter up into a tight ball.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- tight
- fiery
- crystal
- …
- curl (up) into
- roll (up) into
- form something into
- …
- a ball and chain
- a kick, hit or throw of the ball in some sports
- He sent over a high ball.
- He pounced on a loose ball and scored.
- That's a great ball from Kane.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- loose
- high
- low
- …
- play
- send
- pick up
- …
- ball from
- (in baseball) a throw by the pitcher that is outside the strike zone (= the area between the batter's upper arms and knees)Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
- loose
- high
- low
- …
- play
- send
- pick up
- …
- ball from
- ball of the foot/hand the part below the big toe or the thumbTopics Bodyc2
enlarge image - [usually plural] (taboo, informal) a testicle see also balls
- a large formal party with dancingExtra Examples
- She met him at the ball.
- We're organizing a charity ball.
- We're going to a masked ball.
- They're holding a charity ball at the end of the month.
- They've hired a 10-piece band for the summer ball.
- You shall go to the ball, Cinderella!
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- charity
- college
- hunt
- …
- have
- hold
- organize
- …
- dress
- gown
- at a/the ball
Word Originnoun senses 1 to 6 Middle English: from Old Norse bǫllr, of Germanic origin. noun sense 7 early 17th cent.: from French bal ‘a dance’, from late Latin ballare ‘to dance’; related to Greek ballizein ‘to dance’ (also ballein ‘to throw’).
Idioms
a ball and chain
- a problem that prevents you from doing what you would like to do
- The responsibility was a ball and chain around my ankle.
the ball is in your/somebody’s court
- it is your/somebody’s responsibility to take action next
- They've offered me the job, so the ball's in my court now.
a ball of energy/fire
- (informal) a person who is full of energy and enthusiasm
carry the ball
- (US English, informal) to take responsibility for getting something done
- My co-worker was sick, so I had to carry the ball.
drop the ball
- (North American English, informal) to make a mistake and cause something that you are responsible for to fail
- Let’s not drop the ball on this.
get/set/start/keep the ball rolling
- to make something start happening; to make sure that something continues to happen
have a ball
- (informal) to enjoy yourself a lot
have something/a lot on the ball
- (US English, informal) to be capable of doing a job very well; to be intelligent
keep your eye on the ball
- to continue to give your attention to what is most important
(be) on the ball
- to be aware of and understand what is happening and be able to react quickly
- The new publicity manager is really on the ball.
pick up/take the ball and run with it
- (especially North American English) to develop an idea or plan that already exists
- It's up to the private sector to take the ball and run with it.
- The mainstream media will pick up the ball and run with it.
- a challenge to other universities to pick up the ball and run with it
play ball (with somebody)
- (North American English) to play with a ball
- Chris was in the park playing ball with the kids.
- (informal) to be willing to work with other people in a helpful way, especially so that somebody can get what they want
- We contacted the airline about a refund but they wouldn’t play ball.
the whole ball of wax
- (North American English, informal) the whole thing; everything
- I panicked, I cried—the whole ball of wax.