carry the ball

phrase

: to perform or assume the chief role : bear the major portion of work or responsibility

No one else is available to make the arrangements, so it's up to you to carry the ball.

Examples of carry the ball in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The No 10s either carry the ball or, if there is pressure, find clever slide passes into the No 9, who is trained to station himself between the centre-back and full-back. — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Running back Nate Frazier carried the ball four times for 72 yards and three touchdowns. — Christopher Harris, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026

Seven Aggies carried the ball and nine receivers caught a pass. — Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2026

Running back Chip Trayanum, who carried the ball 21 times for 62 yards during the preseason and scored against the Giants, was placed on reserve/injured. — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 30 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1924, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for carry the ball

• autosomal
• cholesterol
• ergosterol
• lysosomal
• microsomal
• mycorrhizal
• neanderthal
• resorcinol
• ribosomal
• salbutamol
• aerosol
• alcohol