Synonyms of drop the ball

drop the ball

phrase

as in trip

to make a mistake

I'm so sorry I dropped the ball and forgot to buy the wine for the dinner party.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• trip
• fumble
• stumble
• slip up
• lay an egg
• screw up
• goof (up)
• foul up
• blunder
• err
• mess (up)
• louse up
• fluff
• nod
• mistake
• boob
• flub
• misunderstand
• murder
• butcher
• muff
• botch
• mangle
• misdeem
• bungle
• misconceive
• misjudge
• bobble
• miscalculate
• misgauge
• miscue
• misconstrue
• foozle
• misinterpret
• mishandle
• miscount

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of drop the ball

Last year, the fair attracted almost 330,000 visitors — no sign that Sedalia is dropping the ball. — Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2026

With one out and one on, Romy Gonzalez hit a hard ground ball to shortstop Francisco Lindor, who dropped the ball before losing his footing completely and falling into the dirt. — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 12 July 2026