ball - thesaurus entry

phrases

• the ball is in someone’s court

  used for telling someone that it is their responsibility to take action or make a decision

  *American English synonyms or related words for this sense of ball*

  To be someone's responsibility: rest with, lie with, come under, fall on, fall to, the ball is in someone’s court, fall/rest on someone’s shoulders, in someone’s charge, be incumbent on/upon someone to do something, be down to someone... more

• a ball of fire

  informal
  someone with a lot of energy and enthusiasm

  *American English synonyms or related words for this sense of ball*

  People who are determined and ambitious: fighter, trier, doer, high-flier, tough nut, dynamo, hard core, hustler, buccaneer, tough cookie... more

• carry the ball

  American informal
  to be responsible for getting something done

  *American English synonyms or related words for this sense of ball*

  To be responsible for something: answer for, accept, carry, accept/face the consequences, be meant to do something, speak for, bear the responsibility, take charge (of), take the lead, take on... more

• get/set/start the ball rolling

  to make something start happening

  *American English synonyms or related words for this sense of ball*

  To make something start to exist or happen: catalyze, bring about, start off, create, trigger, form, inaugurate, invent, set off, make... more

• have a lot on the ball

  American informal
  to be very intelligent or good at what you do

  *American English synonyms or related words for this sense of ball*

  Words used to describe intelligent or wise people: intelligent, wise, brilliant, bright, able, discerning, clear-sighted, quick, smart, academic... more

• have/keep several balls in the air

  informal
  to try to do several different things at the same time

  *American English synonyms or related words for this sense of ball*

  To be busy: run around, rush around, juggle, pack in, immerse yourself in something, have your hands full, cram in, be taken up with something, be up to your eyes in something, not know whether you’re coming or going... more

• on the ball

  informal quick to understand what is happening and what must be done

  *American English synonyms or related words for this sense of ball*

  Words used to describe intelligent or wise people: intelligent, wise, brilliant, bright, able, discerning, clear-sighted, quick, smart, academic... more

• pick up the ball and run with it

  to take responsibility for getting something done, especially after someone else has tried and failed

  *American English synonyms or related words for this sense of ball*

  To be responsible for something: answer for, accept, carry, accept/face the consequences, be meant to do something, speak for, bear the responsibility, take charge (of), take the lead, take on... more

• play ball

  informal
  to work together with someone in an effective way

  *American English synonyms or related words for this sense of ball*

  To do something with someone else: get in with, join in, pull together, share, unite, knit, cooperate, collaborate, mobilize, partner... more