Idiom – Drop the Ball
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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:
- Oh Richard for God’s sake, don’t drop the ball on this one. We’re counting on you.
- The Prime Minister really dropped the ball when he announced loan waivers for farmers during the insolvency crisis.
- In the days leading up to my maths final exam, I really dropped the ball by partying and playing video games instead of studying.
- Only a total idiot could drop the ball in an entrance exam for the local university. It’s just so easy.
- After becoming professor, he dropped the ball when he had an affair with his co-worker. The college had to fire him.
- 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.
- 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.
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