Idioms — Set 66

Set 66 of Idioms covers 5 idioms: drop the ball, keep it under wraps, walk a tightrope, be out of sorts, a dime a dozen. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.