1ball 
/ˈbɑ:l/ noun
plural balls /ˈbɑ:l/ noun 1 [count] : a usually round object that is used in a game or sport or as a toy
▪ a tennis/soccer ball ▪ golf/billiard/bowling balls ▪ a toy rubber ball ▪ kick/throw/hit/catch/bounce/dribble the ball 2 [count] : something that has a round shape
▪ a ball of string ▪ She uses cotton balls to clean her face. ▪ eating rice/melon balls 3 [count] : a round bullet shot out of an old-fashioned gun 4 [count] : the rounded part of the human foot that is at the bottom of the foot and behind the toes — usually plural ▪ He stood on the balls of his feet. — see picture at foot 5 informal + often offensive a [count] : testicle — usually plural ▪ She kicked him in the balls.
b balls [plural] : the courage that is needed to do something
▪ You don't have the/enough balls [=guts, nerve] to fight me.
c balls [plural] Brit : nonsense — often used as an interjection to express disapproval or annoyance 6 [count] a sports : a ball that is thrown or hit
▪ She hit a high arching ball over the net. ▪ I thought the ball [=serve] was good, but my opponent said it was out. — see also air ball, curveball, fastball, fly ball, ground ball, fair ball at 1fair, foul ball at 1foul
b baseball : a pitch that does not go through the proper area and that the batter does not swing at
▪ The first pitch was a ball but the next two pitches were strikes.
▪ a tennis/soccer ball ▪ golf/billiard/bowling balls ▪ a toy rubber ball ▪ kick/throw/hit/catch/bounce/dribble the ball
▪ a ball of string ▪ She uses cotton balls to clean her face. ▪ eating rice/melon balls
b balls [plural] : the courage that is needed to do something
▪ You don't have the/enough balls [=guts, nerve] to fight me.
c balls [plural] Brit : nonsense — often used as an interjection to express disapproval or annoyance
▪ She hit a high arching ball over the net. ▪ I thought the ball [=serve] was good, but my opponent said it was out. — see also air ball, curveball, fastball, fly ball, ground ball, fair ball at 1fair, foul ball at 1foul
b baseball : a pitch that does not go through the proper area and that the batter does not swing at
▪ The first pitch was a ball but the next two pitches were strikes.
carry the ball
US, informal : to have the responsibility for doing something
▪ No one else is available to make the arrangements, so it's up to you to carry the ball.
▪ No one else is available to make the arrangements, so it's up to you to carry the ball.
drop the ball
US, informal : to make a mistake especially by not doing something important
▪ I think the mayor dropped the ball by not hiring more police officers.
▪ I think the mayor dropped the ball by not hiring more police officers.
get/set/start the ball rolling
informal : to begin an activity or process
▪ She tried to get the ball rolling by asking him a few questions.
▪ She tried to get the ball rolling by asking him a few questions.
keep the ball rolling
informal : to cause an activity or process to continue
▪ I've started the preparations for the party, but it's up to you to keep the ball rolling.
▪ I've started the preparations for the party, but it's up to you to keep the ball rolling.
keep your eye on the ball
informal : to continue thinking about or giving attention to something important that you want to do or achieve
▪ She really needs to keep her eye on the ball [=stay focused] if she wants to win the election.
▪ She really needs to keep her eye on the ball [=stay focused] if she wants to win the election.
on the ball
informal : mentally prepared : aware of what is happening and ready to do what is needed or wanted
▪ With so many intelligent students, the teacher must always be on the ball. ▪ Their lawyer was really on the ball.
▪ With so many intelligent students, the teacher must always be on the ball. ▪ Their lawyer was really on the ball.
play ball 1 : to begin or continue to play a game with a ball (such as baseball)
▪ “Let's play ball!” shouted the umpire. ▪ We went outside to play some ball. 2 : to do what other people want you to do : to cooperate or work with other people
▪ He refused to play ball with the police.
▪ “Let's play ball!” shouted the umpire. ▪ We went outside to play some ball.
▪ He refused to play ball with the police.
the ball is in your court
◊If the ball is in your court, you are the person who is expected or required to do something.
▪ What do you think we should do now? The ball is in your court. ▪ She's waiting for the ball to be in her court.
▪ What do you think we should do now? The ball is in your court. ▪ She's waiting for the ball to be in her court.
— compare 3ball
