take one's eye off the ball
To lose one's concentration on what is most important.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“Don't take your eye off the ball while you are driving.”
“The company lost many customers because the manager took his eye off the ball during the expansion.”
“Even a minor distraction can be fatal if an experienced pilot takes their eye off the ball during a difficult landing.”
From general sporting advice to look continuously at the ball as it moves. The phrase transitioned from the field of play to general English as a metaphor for a loss of concentration.
- 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