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drop the ball

Meaning in simple English, pronunciation and examples

Pronunciation: US /ˌdrɑp ðə ˈbɔl/ · UK /ˌdrɒp ðə ˈbɔːl/

drop the ball means: To make a mistake or fail to do something you were responsible for.

verb

FAIL IN DUTYB2

To make a mistake or fail to do something you were responsible for.

  • I dropped the ball this time.
  • Someone dropped the ball and missed the deadline.
  • Did the manager drop the ball on this project?

How to use it: drop the ball on something (We dropped the ball on the safety checks.)

Similar words: mess up, fail, make a mistake

Common phrases: drop the ball again, drop the ball today

LET BALL FALLA1

To let a ball fall from your hands or another raised position.

  • Don't drop the ball.
  • The goalkeeper dropped the ball at his feet.
  • She dropped the ball, and it rolled under the table.

Opposites: catch the ball

Common phrases: drop the ball accidentally, drop the ball twice

Questions about drop the ball

What does drop the ball mean?

To make a mistake or fail to do something you were responsible for.

What is drop the ball in other languages?

Türkçe: işi batırmak · Español: meter la pata · Français: faire une erreur · Deutsch: versagen · Italiano: fare un errore · 日本語: へまをする

How do you pronounce drop the ball?

In American English /ˌdrɑp ðə ˈbɔl/; in British English /ˌdrɒp ðə ˈbɔːl/.

How do you use drop the ball in a sentence?

I dropped the ball this time. Someone dropped the ball and missed the deadline.

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