# wait for the ball to drop

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/wait-for-the-ball-to-drop
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To wait in expectation of an occurrence.

## Examples

- We wait for the ball to drop at the New Year party.
- The crowd stood in the cold square, waiting for the ball to drop to celebrate the start of the year.
- As the final seconds of December ticked away, the gathered thousands held their breath, waiting for the ball to drop and signal the arrival of a new era.

## Origin

An allusion to the Times Square Ball, and perhaps other time balls. (disputed)

---

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.