on the ball

ADJECTIVE

alert

Synonyms

WEAK

active all ears attentive bright cagey careful clever good hands heads up intelligent lively observant on guard on one's toes on the job on the lookout on the stick perceptive quick ready sharp spirited vigilant watchful wise with it

ADVERB

paying attention

Synonyms

WEAK

alert alive attentive awake on one's toes on the job on top of ready sharp vital wide-awake with it

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Carragher says Benitez told Owen, who in 2001 had won the Ballon d'Or, he needed to learn to "turn on the ball quicker".

From BBC • May 12, 2026

When Fernandes gets on the ball and looks to cross, teams inadvertently drop off closer to goal.

From BBC • May 8, 2026

But the “nope” numbers reveal how Wembanyama could defuse Portland’s attack without laying a finger on the ball.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 2, 2026

But he truly destroys NBA offenses without laying a finger on the ball.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 2, 2026

He didn’t have to diss me on the ball court.

From "Slam!" by Walter Dean Myers

on the ball

Example Sentences

Related Words