Collocations for "ball"
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word "ball" in context.
WordReference English Collocations © 2026
ball
ⓘMost examples are given in US English. We have labeled exceptions as UK.n
- a [golf, tennis, beach, rugby, bowling] ball
- a [ground, fly, foul] ball
- [throw, toss, kick, pass] me the ball
- [throw, hit] the ball to me
- the ball hit the [post, defender, referee]
- the ball landed on the [roof, fairway, green]
- the ball is in your court (now)
- let's play ball!
- [won't, is refusing to] play ball
- usually UK: a [high school, formal, graduation] ball
- are you going to the ball?
- what are you wearing it the ball?
- is really on the ball today
- has really been on the ball lately
- let's get the ball rolling (with)
- the [cat, hedgehog] curled (itself) up into a ball
- vulgar, slang: I got [hit, kicked, punched] in the balls!
- vulgar, slang: stop [scratching, playing with] your balls!
- vulgar, slang: he's got balls (to do that)!
- a ball of [dirt, yarn, wax, fire, light, cheese, yarn]
- the ball of my [foot, thumb]
- ball up [your socks, the clothes, the paper]
- ball (yourself) up
- balled his hands into fists
- hands (were) balled (tightly) into fists
- UK, vulgar, slang: really balled up the [assignment, presentation, exam]
- UK, vulgar, slang: balled it (all) up
- still in this ball game
- [put, toss] it in the ball rack
- need new ball bearings
'ball' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
accurately
- address
- alley
- balance
- baseline
- bash
- basket
- bat
- beach
- bearing
- birth
- bounce
- bouncing
- bound
- bowling
- brown
- catch
- center
- chest
- chip
- chuck
- clay
- clout
- connect
- control
- cotton
- cricket
- crotch
- crush
- crystal
- cue
- curb
- curl
- curve
- cushion
- dimple
- doctor
- dodge
- drawn
- drive
- driver
- drop
- duck
- eight
- escort
- face
- fence
- fetch
- field
- flatten