How do you use "Drop the ball" in a sentence?

Sorry, I really dropped the ball on that project. Don't drop the ball—this is important. Someone dropped the ball and the deadline was missed.

Drop the ball

Q: What does "Drop the ball" mean?

To make a mistake or fail to do something. From various sports—literally dropping the ball loses possession. Used for failing at a responsibility or making an error.

Slang Term AmericanBritishAustralian ★★★★★ Very Common Casual

Meaning: To make a mistake or fail to do something.

犯错误或未能完成任务。

Cometer un error o no cumplir con algo.

ミスをする、やり遂げられない。

실수를 하다, 해야 할 일을 제대로 하지 못하다.

From various sports—literally dropping the ball loses possession. Used for failing at a responsibility or making an error.

未能履行责任，特别是当别人指望你的时候。源自体育运动中把球掉了。

Fallar en una responsabilidad, especialmente cuando otros contaban contigo. Viene del deporte, de dejar caer el balón.

特に他の人が頼りにしていたときに責任を果たせないこと。スポーツでボールを落とすことに由来。

책임을 다하지 못하는 것, 특히 다른 사람들이 기대하고 있었을 때 사용한다. 스포츠에서 문자 그대로 공을 떨어뜨리는 것에서 유래했다.

Literal meaning: Literally drop a ball

Examples

Sorry, I really dropped the ball on that project.
市场团队在这次活动上搞砸了
El equipo de marketing la pifió con esta campaña
マーケティングチームはこのキャンペーンで大失態をした
마케팅팀이 이번 캠페인에서 정말 실수했어.
Don't drop the ball—this is important.
我在那个项目上搞砸了
La pifié con ese proyecto
あのプロジェクトでしくじってしまった
그 프로젝트에서 실수를 저질렀어.
Someone dropped the ball and the deadline was missed.
客户会议上别掉链子
No la pifies en la reunión con el cliente
クライアントとの会議でミスするなよ
고객 미팅에서 실수하면 안 돼.

Pronunciation

/drɒp ðə bɔːl/

Usage Guide

Context: mistakes, failure, responsibility

Tone: apologetic, critical

✓ Do Say

Dropped the ball.
搞砸了
La fastidió
しくじった
실수했어.
Don't drop the ball.
别搞砸了
No la fastidies
へまをするなよ
걔네가 일을 망쳤어.
Someone dropped the ball.
有人出了差错
Alguien metió la pata
誰かがミスをした
이건 절대 실수하면 안 돼.

✗ Don't Say

Made a mistake
Made a mistake（太普通）
Made a mistake（demasiado común）
Made a mistake（平凡すぎる）
Made a mistake (너무 평범함)
Failed
Failed to deliver（太正式）
Failed to deliver（demasiado formal）
Failed to deliver（堅すぎる）
Failed to deliver (너무 딱딱함)

Common Mistakes

Very common expression
Often used in business contexts

Origin & History

From sports in general—dropping the ball usually results in losing.

Etymology: American sports slang, 20th century

First recorded: Mid 20th century

Cultural Context

Era: Mid 20th century to present

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: American football; Business

Regional notes: Universal English sports metaphor.

Variations

Drop the ballDropped the ballDropping the ball