to carry the ball
3
4.6
- phrasal verb
- Informal
- You're carrying the ball now.
Examples
-
Billie, you carry the ball from here on in.
-
I don't mind carrying the ball.
-
But if you involve them in the process, they can carry the ball because church planting has also become their idea.
Blog text (24) -
"The more you carry the ball, the more you get to see what the defensive line is going to do," Huggins said.
Blog text (12) -
Now I have no doubts whatsoever that you'll carry the ball for us?
Fiction book (1992) -
"We thought Andre has deserved some chances; when we've given him an opportunity to carry the ball, he's done well," Gilbride said.
Blog text (23) -
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- The Minnesota Vikings want Christian Ponder to be cautious when he carries the ball.
Blog text (28) -
As the project manager, it is your job to carry the ball until it is completed.
-
If we want this event to succeed, someone needs to carry the ball and make the decisions.
-
She will carry the ball during the development phase of the new software project.
Synonyms
∞
1.0
To guide a group or be in charge
577
2.8
To agree to do a job or task
101
3.5
Start to control a group or situation and lead others
69
3.2
To start guiding a group or activity and make the main decisions
60
3.9
To lead a group or team
58
4.1
To be in charge of an activity or group
25
4.7
To drive a car or have control of a situation
13
4.4
To lead an organization, group, or project
3
4.9
To be in control of a group or business
2
7.3
To take on an important role as a leader
1
5.7
To accept responsibility for and control someone or something
1
7.4
To take on responsibility as the next leader
1
7.7
To take the lead in a group or activity and get others to follow
To start managing a task or group after someone else managed it
Antonyms
How Responsible
39
5.6
- Informal
58
4.1
69
3.2
- Informal
3
4.6
∞
1.0
3
3.6
Surface Forms
Morphology
carry + the + ball
The verb 'carry' can mean 'bear responsibility', so part of the intended sense is signalled by the constituents, but the phrase is a sports-derived metaphor in which 'ball' does not transparently indicate leadership or project management. A B1 learner who knows the words may guess a relation to holding or bearing something, but the specific meaning 'take responsibility for leading a project' is not fully predictable without prior exposure.
Etymology
The expression carry the ball comes from team sports where one player literally carries the ball forward to move the team toward a goal. So today, to carry the ball means 'to take responsibility' and lead a project or task.