He really dropped the ball by missing the deadline for our most important client.
word origin — From American football — dropping the ball means losing possession and badly failing the team's expectations.
drop the ball, keep it under wraps, walk a tightrope, be out of sorts, a dime a dozen: meanings and examples
Learn these 5 idioms from Idioms set 66. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.
drop the ball · idiom/drɑp ðə bɔl/
to make a mistake or fail to take proper action
He really dropped the ball by missing the deadline for our most important client.
Origin: From American football — dropping the ball means losing possession and badly failing the team's expectations.
keep it under wraps · idiom/kip ɪt ˈʌndɚ ræps/
to keep something secret or hidden
They’re working on a new product, but they’re keeping it under wraps until the big launch.
Origin: An American expression from the 1900s — refers to covering an item in protective wraps to hide it from view.
walk a tightrope · idiom/wɔk ə ˈtaɪtroʊp/
to be in a risky or delicate situation
As a diplomat, he has to walk a tightrope between different political groups without offending anyone.
Origin: From circus performers — walking a high tightrope demands precise balance, with the smallest mistake leading to disaster.
be out of sorts · idiom/bi aʊt əv sɔrts/
to feel unwell or in a bad mood
I’m feeling a bit out of sorts today—I think I might be coming down with a cold.
Origin: Originally from old printing presses — when letters got mixed up and out of order, the press couldn't print properly.
a dime a dozen · idiom/ə daɪm ə ˈdʌzən/
to be very common or easily available
Cheap souvenirs in tourist areas are a dime a dozen—you can find them anywhere.
Origin: An American 19th-century phrase — twelve items for one dime meant they were so common as to have almost no value.