drop the ball 

1. Make an error; miss an opportunity; fail.

2. To make a mistake, especially by doing something in a stupid or careless way.

3. To fail to keep working to reach a goal.

This expression comes from the game of FOOTBALL, where it's not a good thing to drop the ball when the ball is in play. It's mainly used based on failure and mistakes. So, if you want to tell someone how important it is to succeed in a particular activity, then this is a good expression to use.

MAN #2: You can trust me.

MAN #1: I don't know. Everytime I depend on you, you drop the ball.

drop the ball by Mr. Terrence L. Trezvant November 21, 2006

stall the ball 

the same as: "hold up", "wait a minute", "stop right there"

Stall the ball for a moment so I can let that sink in. Then I want you to run it by me again!

stall the ball by talk2me-JCH2 July 6, 2022

dropped the ball 

To screw up a major opportunity, that possibly comes along only once in a blue moon.

"One keg of beer, two blonde twins, a hotel room, and an endless supply of rubbers. Think he shagged them? Nope. He dropped the ball."

dropped the ball by D. Gould February 15, 2006

Sex with the ball

A person that plays excessive amounts of soccer/football to the point where the main thought in his head is about the ball.

"Goddamn he loves soccer!!! He must be going home to have 'sex with the ball' ".

Sex with the ball by Stiff Milk January 17, 2018

Kill the man with the ball 

The coolest school yard game where the name of the game is the only rule.

One kid gets a ball (any kind wil do), and everybody else chases him and tries to beat the crap out of him.

Let's play kill the man with the ball at recess.

Kill the man with the ball by BMarquis February 13, 2009

Get The Ball Rolling 

1. (idiom) To get something started

2. Get it started with your partner

Joe: Oh my girl, Jen, she's so amazing bro

Justin: Yea, well you better "Get The Ball Rolling" with her under the bleachers before she leaves you.

Joe: .......

Get The Ball Rolling by Nizo Gowe February 23, 2011

on the ball 

to be understanding/concentrating on something really well

Dude, I was totally on the ball in chemistry class today!

Yeah I got an A+ on my test yo, I was on the ball that day!

on the ball by Dasha May 13, 2005