On the ball
Suggest a CorrectionMeaning
Sharp, alert, and quick to act, right on top of things.
Origin
From 20th-century America, tied to baseball; 'on the ball' meant eyes on it, slang by 1912 for sharp. A 1919 'Chicago Tribune' uses it for a keen kid.
Usage Examples
- She's on the ball; caught that typo fast!
- He's always on the ball with deadlines.
- Stay on the ball; this job needs focus.
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