| Idiom | On the Ball |
|---|---|
| Example | Mr. Hsu hired me because he thinks I'm really on the ball |
| Meaning | alert; effective; skillful; knowledgeable |
| Origin | This saying originated with British football—what we call soccer. It could also be said that a person is "on top of things." Also, in the all-American sport of baseball, a pitcher who was able to get something "on the ball" (like great speed) would be more likely to win the game. As ball games, including basketball, became more popular, so did this expression. |
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