drɑp ðə bɔl
Sports
informal
beginner
- Literally:
- To let a ball fall from one's hands
What does "drop the ball" mean?
- To fail to do something important; to make a mistake
- To fail to follow through on a responsibility
Examples
- The marketing team really dropped the ball on this campaign.
- I dropped the ball and forgot to send the invoice.
- Don't drop the ball on this important client.
Origin
From sports like American football or baseball, where dropping the ball is a critical error. Extended metaphorically to any failure to complete an important task.
How to use it
Very common American expression for failure or mistakes. Often used in workplace contexts to describe missed responsibilities.
Similar expressions
mess up
fail
fumble
let someone down
Opposites
follow through
deliver
succeed
Related idioms
- no pain no gain
Success requires hard work and sacrifice
- ball is in your court
It's your turn to take action or make a decision
- like riding a bicycle
A skill that, once learned, is never forgotten
- level playing field
A situation where everyone has an equal opportunity
- on the ball
Alert and competent
- jump the gun
To act prematurely or before the proper time
Use it in a practice answer
Try "drop the ball" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.