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.

After dropping deep, Rashford has time on the ball against a Panama back-line that has applied pressure.

From BBC • Jun. 28, 2026

If the opponents have quality on the ball and find themselves in possession higher up the pitch, Panama's high press falls into a mid-block, and they move from a 4-4-2 into a 5-3-2.

From BBC • Jun. 27, 2026

With time and space on the ball, Porro played a cross to the back post which was knocked into a more central position for Mikel Oyarzabal to tap in.

From BBC • Jun. 26, 2026

O'Reilly got in some great positions, offered more on the ball and was also very unlucky when his header hit the bar.

From BBC • Jun. 25, 2026

I get in my defensive stance, eyes on the ball.

From "The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas

on the ball

Example Sentences

Related Words