Idiom – Drop the Ball

Drop the Ball – Idiom of the Day

Meaning:

Completely mess things up; commit a blunder.

Origin:

This idiom has its roots in American football, wherein one has to catch a ball for a pass to be successfully completed. Dropping the ball would give the opposing team possession of it, thus giving them a chance to score.

Its use for more general kinds of mistakes dates from about 1950.

Examples:

1. Oh Richard for God’s sake, don’t drop the ball on this one. We’re counting on you.
2. The Prime Minister really dropped the ball when he announced loan waivers for farmers during the insolvency crisis.
3. In the days leading up to my maths final exam, I really dropped the ball by partying and playing video games instead of studying.
4. Only a total idiot could drop the ball in an entrance exam for the local university. It’s just so easy.
5. After becoming professor, he dropped the ball when he had an affair with his co-worker. The college had to fire him.
6. If you drop the ball in high school, you won’t be accepted at any of the good colleges, which means getting a job that pays well will be difficult.
7. So you dated two women at the same time, they both found out, and now you are alone. Man, you really dropped the ball on this one.