Drop the ball Meaning in English
expression
ˈdɹɑp/, /ˈdɹɔp/ /ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈbɔɫ
DRAHP-thuh-BAWL
dɹˈɒp/ /ðə, ði/ /bˈɔːl
DROP-thuh-BAWL
Definition
To make a mistake or fail to do something important, usually because you were careless or not paying attention.
Usage & Nuances
This is an informal idiom, often used when someone fails at a responsibility. Commonly heard in workplaces, sports, or group projects. Not about literal balls—don't use for physical dropping. Similar: 'mess up,' 'blow it.'
Spanish: cometer un error - fallar - equivocarsePortuguese (BR): vacilar - dar mancada - cometer erroPortuguese (PT): falhar - cometer um erroChinese (Simplified): 出错 - 搞砸Chinese (Traditional): 出錯 - 搞砸Hindi: गलती करना - चूक जानाArabic: أخطأ - فشلBengali: ভুল করা - দায়িত্বে গাফিলতি করাRussian: накосячить - допустить ошибку - провалить (дело)Japanese: ミスする - 大事な場面で失敗するVietnamese: mắc sai lầm - làm hỏng việcKorean: 실수하다 - 중요한 일을 망치다Turkish: işi batırmak - sorumluluğunu yerine getirememekUrdu: غلطی کرنا - ذمہ داری نبھانے میں کوتاہی کرناIndonesian: gagal - melakukan kesalahan - teledor
Example Sentences
I really dropped the ball on this project.
basic
Sorry, I dropped the ball and forgot your birthday.
basic
He can't drop the ball in tomorrow's meeting.
basic
Wow, you really dropped the ball on that presentation.
natural
If you drop the ball again, we might lose the client.
natural
I totally dropped the ball during the interview and blanked on my answer.
natural