Phrase Hound found 548 phrases and 412 compound words that contain ball. The most common are listed below. Open ball in the live search for definitions, filters, and the full list.
Phrases 548
- off-the-ballOccurring away from active play.
- ball gameAny game played with a ball.
- golf ballA small, usually white ball that is designed for use in the game of golf.
- crystal ballA globe of glass or crystal that is used to foretell the future.
- ball bearingA bearing assembly which uses spherical bearing balls as the rolling elements, usually consisting of two ballraces (rings).
- drop the ballTo fail in one's responsibilities or duties, or to make a mistake, especially at a critical point or when the result is very negative.
- open the ballTo begin operations; to set things in motion.
- play the ballAlternative form of play the ball and not the man: To attack the ball instead of an opponent who is usually controlling the ball. Often considered a positive action, and sometimes a requirement not to concede a penalty.
- soccer ballA ball that is designed for use in the sport of soccer; a football.
- tennis ballA hollow, bouncy rubber ball, pressurized and covered with usually yellow felt, used in the game of tennis.
- call the ballWhen landing on a US aircraft carrier: to sight the lights from the multi-colored optical landing system that shows a pilot to be on the correct approach path or how to correct the approach path.
- ball upTo crush or form into a ball shape.
- bowling ballA solid ball used in the sport of bowling, with finger holes allowing it to be picked up.
- address the ballTo ground one's club immediately in front of or behind the ball, as a preamble to swinging.
- holding the ballThe action of a player keeping hold of the ball when tackled. When tackled the player must kick or handpass the ball and failing to do so (provided the opportunity was given) results in a free kick to the tackler.
- ball of fireA person who is especially active, ambitious, hard-working, or high-achieving.
- play ballTo start anything tumultuous.
- cup-and-ballA traditional children's toy consisting of a hand-held wooden cup with a ball attached by a string. The player jerks the ball into the air and attempts to catch it in the cup.
- having a ballpresent participle and gerund of have a ball
- ball boyA person, usually male, responsible for retrieving balls from the area of play, and returning them to the players.
- carry the ballTo lead in terms of responsibility, initiative, or progress.
- ball and chainA heavy iron ball attached to a prisoner's leg by a chain as a means of restraint.
- medicine ballA large, heavy sphere of leather, plastic or rubber etc. filled with sand or similar, and used for athletic training or physical rehabilitation.
- exercise ballA soft, elastic ball with a diameter of approximately 35 to 85 centimetres, used in physical therapy and exercise.
- beach ballA large light inflatable ball, ideally suited to beach games.
Compound words 412
- footballA sport played on foot in which teams attempt to get a ball into a goal or zone defended by the other team.
- volleyballA game played on a rectangular court between two teams of two to six players which involves striking a ball back and forth over a net.
- softballA game similar to baseball but played with a larger and softer ball which can be thrown overhand or underhand.
- paintballA sport where teams shoot each other with gelatin capsules filled with paint-like dye.
- ballroomA large room used for dancing and banquets.
- pinballA game, played on a device with a sloping base (a pinball machine), in which the player operates a spring-loaded plunger to shoot a ball, between obstacles, and attempts to hit targets and score points.
- snowballA ball of snow, usually one made in the hand and thrown for amusement in a snowball fight; also a larger ball of snow made by rolling a snowball around in snow that sticks to it and increases its diameter.
- eyeballThe ball of the eye.
- handballA team sport where two teams of seven players each (six players and a goalkeeper) pass and bounce a ball trying to throw it in the goal of the opposing team.
- fireballA ball of fire, especially one associated with an explosion, or (fiction, mythology) thrown as a weapon.