Synonyms of dropping the ball

dropping the ball

phrase

present participle of drop the ball

as in fumbling

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

• fumbling
• stumbling
• slipping up
• tripping
• screwing up
• laying an egg
• fouling up
• goofing (up)
• lousing up
• messing (up)
• blundering
• nodding
• erring
• fluffing
• flubbing
• misunderstanding
• boobing
• mistaking
• bungling
• murdering
• mangling
• botching
• muffing
• butchering
• foozling
• misconceiving
• mishandling
• misdeeming
• misjudging
• miscalculating
• misgauging
• bobbling
• miscounting
• misconstruing
• misinterpreting
• miscuing

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of dropping the ball

Lewis repeatedly overthrew open deep shots in the first half; In the second, his wideouts took turns dropping the ball. — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 4 Sep. 2026

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