# on the ball

idiom · CEFR B1

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/on-the-ball
Updated: 2026-06-07

## Meaning

Doing a good job

## Examples

- You are really on the ball with your work today.
- The new assistant is always on the ball and answers every email within ten minutes.
- In such a fast-moving industry, you must stay on the ball to ensure that your competitors do not gain an advantage.

## Origin

From ball sports — 'keep your eye on the ball'; in baseball, a pitcher with skill was said to put 'something on the ball'. (disputed)

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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.