keep one's eye on the ball
To maintain one's concentration fixed on one important theme.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“You must keep your eye on the ball to finish this project.”
“You need to keep your eye on the ball during this long exam.”
“He keeps his eye on the ball to avoid making mistakes with the money.”
“The market is changing quickly, so we need to keep our eye on the ball to stay ahead of the competition.”
“With three children running around the house, it is hard for me to keep my eye on the ball while I work from home.”
“The chef told the new staff to keep their eye on the ball so that no orders were sent to the wrong tables.”
“Even though the holiday is approaching, the team must keep their eye on the ball to meet the safety requirements by Friday.”
“Despite the numerous distractions and minor setbacks encountered during the negotiation, the lead diplomat managed to keep her eye on the ball until the final agreement was signed.”
The phrase originated as general sporting advice to maintain visual contact with the ball throughout a play. It was associated particularly with the instruction given to a golfer when addressing the ball on the tee.
- 01
abound in one's own sense
To follow one’s own inclinations and opinions.
- 02
ace up one's sleeve
A surprise advantage of which others are not aware.
- 03
act one's age
To behave in a manner appropriate to one's age.
- 04
act one's age, not one's shoe size
Synonym of act one's age (“to behave in a mature manner; to avoid being childish”).
- 05
afraid of one's own shadow
Exceptionally timid.
- 06
air one's dirty laundry in public
To reveal one's sordid secrets to the public.
- 07
air one's dirty linen in public
Synonym of air one's dirty laundry in public.
- 08
albatross around one's neck
A characteristic, possession, associate, or previous deed that hinders one's ability to succeed.
Last updated August 10, 2026