# ball hog

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/ball-hog
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

In team sports, a player who keeps the ball to themselves, rather than passing it.

## Examples

- Stop being a ball hog and pass the ball to your teammates.
- We lost the game because our star player was a ball hog and refused to pass.
- His reputation as a notorious ball hog alienated his teammates, who eventually grew tired of his selfish style of play.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.