on the ball

phrase

Synonyms of on the ballnext
1
: competent, knowledgeable, alert
… the other introductory essay … is much more on the ball.—The Times Literary Supplement (London)
keep on the ball
2
: of ability or competence
… if the teacher has something on the ball, the pupils won't squirm much …—New Yorker

Examples of on the ball in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
No, his attack direction on the ball is almost exactly the same as last year. — Eno Sarris, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 High heels naturally put the foot in a plantarflexed position, engaging the calf muscles to activate for a prolonged period of time and increasing pressure on the ball of the foot. — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 24 Aug. 2026 Heritage Auctions said experts compared distinctive characteristics on the ball, including visible marks and other identifying details, with photographs from the England match and images of other Adidas Azteca balls used during the 1986 World Cup. — George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 24 Aug. 2026 Kamara landed on the ball in the end zone for a touchdown that pushed Indiana’s lead to 17-7. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for on the ball

Rhymes for on the ball

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Browse Nearby Words

on the back of
on the ball
on the ballot
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Cite this Entry

“On the ball.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20the%20ball. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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