DROPPED THE BALL Synonyms: 37 Similar Words

dropped the ball

phrase

past tense of drop the ball

as in fumbled

to make a mistake I'm so sorry I dropped the ball and forgot to buy the wine for the dinner party.

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Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of dropped the ball With men on first and third and nobody out that inning, second baseman Jackson Holliday fielded a tough grounder and threw to second, but shortstop Gunnar Henderson dropped the ball for an error and everyone was safe. — CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026 Raleigh dropped the ball, and Bauers dived back to the plate. — ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026 Following up Saturday’s outing, Garrett Nussmeier saw undrafted rookie wide receiver Jacob De Jesus break free downfield and dropped the ball in for a score. — Kansas City Star, 17 Aug. 2026 France then took off for home, but because Tovar quickly ran over to grab the ball and because France is not fast, there would have been a close play at the plate had Tovar not dropped the ball after picking it up. — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 July 2026 With one out and one on, Romy Gonzalez hit a hard ground ball to shortstop Francisco Lindor, who dropped the ball before losing his footing completely and falling into the dirt. — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 12 July 2026

Browse Nearby Words

dropped out of sight

dropped the ball

dropping

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“Dropped the ball.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dropped%20the%20ball. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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