Have on the ball Meaning in English
expression
HAV on thuh BAWL
hav ON thuh BAWL
Definition
To be smart, alert, and capable, especially when handling tasks or solving problems.
Usage & Nuances
This is an informal and mainly American English expression. Used with 'have' (often 'someone has a lot on the ball'). Often about intelligence plus practical ability. Not used in formal writing.
Spanish: ser muy capaz - ser inteligente (informal)Portuguese (BR): ser esperto - ser competente (informal)Portuguese (PT): ser esperto - ser competente (informal)Chinese (Simplified): 头脑灵活 - 能干（非正式）Chinese (Traditional): 頭腦靈活 - 能幹（非正式）Hindi: समझदार होना - सक्षम होना (अनौपचारिक)Arabic: ذكي ومتمكن (غير رسمي)Bengali: চতুর - বুদ্ধিমান - দক্ষRussian: сообразительный - умеющий справлятьсяJapanese: 頭が切れる - しっかりしているVietnamese: nhanh nhẹn - thông minh - lanh lợiKorean: 똑똑하다 - 일 잘한다Turkish: akıllı - becerikliUrdu: ذہین - ہوشیار - قابلIndonesian: cerdas - tanggap - mampu
Example Sentences
She really has on the ball when it comes to math.
basic
If you have on the ball, you can solve this quickly.
basic
That new student has on the ball; he learns fast.
basic
Wow, you really have on the ball—nobody else got that answer!
natural
He might not talk much, but he has on the ball.
natural
Give her any challenge—she has on the ball to handle it.
natural