On the ball — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

phrase

Meaning & Definition of On the ball

On the ball (phrase)

  1. competent, knowledgeable, alert
  2. of ability or competence

On the ball (phrase) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. paying close attention usually for the purpose of anticipating approaching danger or opportunity

    "The cops in this town are always on the ball."

    similar: alert, Argus-eyed, attentive, awake, observant, open-eyed, tenty (Scottish), vigilant, watchful, wide-awake, on guard, on one's toes, on the alert, on the qui vive, on tiptoe
    related: alive, aware, conscious, sensitive, cognizant, heedful, keen, mindful, observing, regardful, sharp, sharp-eyed, hyperalert, hypervigilant, sleepless, wakeful, careful, cautious, chary, wary, prepared, ready
    opposite: asleep
    near: absent, absentminded, absorbed, abstracted, daydreaming, dazed, distracted, dreaming, dreamy, engrossed, faraway, insensible, oblivious, preoccupied, sleeping, unaware, unconscious, unknowing, unwitting, careless, heedless, inattentive, unheeding, unmindful, unthinking, unwary, unprepared, unready

  2. having the required skills for an acceptable level of performance

    "The new hire is really on the ball."

    similar: able, capable, competent, equal, fit, good, qualified, suitable
    related: accomplished, ace, adept, experienced, expert, master, masterful, masterly, practiced, proficient, seasoned, skilled, skillful, veteran, overqualified, prepared, schooled, trained, apt, ready, willing, all-around, protean, versatile
    opposite: incompetent, inept, poor, unfit, unfitted, unqualified
    near: inexperienced, inexpert, unseasoned, unskilled, unskillful, unprepared, unschooled, untrained, beginning, green, new, raw, untested, untried

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for On the ball

The most common words with a similar meaning to On the ball:

Scottish: tenty
alert, Argus-eyed, attentive, awake, observant, open-eyed, vigilant, watchful, wide-awake, able, capable, competent, equal, fit, good, qualified, suitable, on guard, on one's toes, on the alert, on the qui vive, on tiptoe

Antonyms & Opposite Words for On the ball

Words with the opposite meaning of On the ball:

asleep, incompetent, inept, poor, unfit, unfitted, unqualified

Related Words for On the ball

alive, aware, conscious, sensitive, cognizant, heedful, keen, mindful, observing, regardful, sharp, sharp-eyed, hyperalert, hypervigilant, sleepless, wakeful, careful, cautious, chary, wary, prepared, ready, accomplished, ace, adept, experienced, expert, master, masterful, masterly

Near Antonyms of On the ball

absent, absentminded, absorbed, abstracted, daydreaming, dazed, distracted, dreaming, dreamy, engrossed, faraway, insensible, oblivious, preoccupied, sleeping, unaware, unconscious, unknowing, unwitting, careless, heedless, inattentive, unheeding, unmindful, unthinking, unwary, unprepared, unready, inexperienced, inexpert

Words & Phrases Containing On the ball

keep one's eye on the ball

Frequently Asked Questions about On the ball

What does "On the ball" mean?

"On the ball" means competent, knowledgeable, alert. As a phrase, it is defined as: competent, knowledgeable, alert. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "On the ball"?

Other words for "On the ball" include alert, Argus-eyed, attentive, awake, observant, open-eyed, tenty and vigilant. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "On the ball" you intend.

What are different ways to say "On the ball"?

There are 67 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "On the ball". Common alternatives include alert, Argus-eyed, attentive, awake, observant, open-eyed, tenty, vigilant, watchful and wide-awake.

What is the opposite of "On the ball"?

Antonyms of "On the ball" include asleep, incompetent, inept, poor, unfit, unfitted and unqualified. Near antonyms include absent, absentminded, absorbed and abstracted.

How do you use "On the ball" in a sentence?

Examples of "On the ball" in a sentence: "The cops in this town are always on the ball."; "The new hire is really on the ball.".

Is "On the ball" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"On the ball" is a phrase.

What is another word for "On the ball" meaning "paying close attention usually for the purpose of anticipating approaching danger or opportunity"?

When "On the ball" (phrase) means paying close attention usually for the purpose of anticipating approaching danger or opportunity, synonyms include alert, Argus-eyed, attentive, awake, observant and open-eyed. Opposites in this sense include asleep.

What is another word for "On the ball" meaning "having the required skills for an acceptable level of performance"?

When "On the ball" (phrase) means having the required skills for an acceptable level of performance, synonyms include able, capable, competent, equal, fit and good. Opposites in this sense include incompetent, inept, poor and unfit.