ball up

Idioms  

1. Roll something into a ball, as in She loved to knit and was always balling up her yarn . [Early 1800s]

2. Confuse or bungle, as in Jane got all balled up at the beginning of her speech , or Henry really balled up that exam . This term may come from the fact that when a horse is driven over soft or partly thawed snow, the snow becomes packed into icy balls on its hoofs, making it stumble. Another theory is that it alludes to the vulgar term balls for testicles. [First half of 1900s]

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Example Sentences

Picking the ball up out of the hand will be crucial for England this week, especially given how much faster Starc bowls with a pink ball.

From BBC

This centre-forward position allowed him to hold the ball up and win fouls more reliably than Zirkzee did in the first half against direct pressure.

From BBC

“She was heating up the ball, getting steals in our press, bringing the ball up, getting to the basket,” said sophomore Kennedy Smith, who had 13 points Tuesday.

From Los Angeles Times

Last week against the Wallabies, 20-year-old replacement Pollock scooped the ball up with one hand to score a memorable try that confirmed England's dominance.

From BBC

Against a good press or a higher defensive block, Liverpool have struggled to get the ball up the pitch as effectively as they did last season.

From BBC