have something on the ball

have something on the ball
have something on the ball
to have a particular amount of smartness or cleverness. •

Both John and Mary have a lot on the ball. They should go far.

I think I'd do better in school if I had more on the ball. I learn slowly.

* * *
{v. phr.}, {slang}, {colloquial} To be smart, clever; to be skilled and have the necessary know-how. * /You can trust Syd; he's got a lot on the ball OR he's got something on the ball./

Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.

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  • have something on the ball — {v. phr.}, {slang}, {colloquial} To be smart, clever; to be skilled and have the necessary know how. * /You can trust Syd; he s got a lot on the ball OR he s got something on the ball./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • have\ smth\ on\ the\ ball — v. phr. slang colloquial To be smart, clever; to be skilled and have the necessary know how. You can trust Syd; he s got a lot on the ball or he s got something on the ball …   Словарь американских идиом

  • on the ball — {adj. phr.}, {informal} 1. Paying attention and doing things well. Used after is or get . * /Ben is really on the ball in school./ * /The coach told Jim he must get on the ball or he cannot stay on the team./ Compare: GET WITH IT, HEADS UP, KEEP… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • on the ball — {adj. phr.}, {informal} 1. Paying attention and doing things well. Used after is or get . * /Ben is really on the ball in school./ * /The coach told Jim he must get on the ball or he cannot stay on the team./ Compare: GET WITH IT, HEADS UP, KEEP… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • (the) ball is in someone's court — the ball is in (someone s) court if the ball is in someone s court, they have to do something before any progress can be made in a situation. I ve told him he can have his job back if he apologizes. The ball s in his court now …   New idioms dictionary

  • (the) ball is in court — the ball is in (someone s) court if the ball is in someone s court, they have to do something before any progress can be made in a situation. I ve told him he can have his job back if he apologizes. The ball s in his court now …   New idioms dictionary

  • have something lot on the ball — have something/a lot on the ˈball idiom (US, informal) to be capable of doing a job very well; to be intelligent Main entry: ↑ballidiom …   Useful english dictionary

  • have a lot on the ball — have something/a lot on the ˈball idiom (US, informal) to be capable of doing a job very well; to be intelligent Main entry: ↑ballidiom …   Useful english dictionary

  • ball — ball1 [bôl] n. [ME bal < OE * beallu < IE base * bhel , to swell > BOWL1, BLADDER, ON bǫllr, OHG balla, Gr phallos, L follis & flare] 1. any round, or spherical, object; sphere; globe 2. a planet or star, esp. the earth …   English World dictionary

  • ball — See: BASE ON BALLS, CARRY THE BALL, FLY BALL, FOUL BALL, GET THE BALL ROLLING, SET THE BALL ROLLING, START THE BALL ROLLING, GOPHER BALL, GROUND BALL, HAVE A HALL, HAVE SOMETHING ON THE BALL, JUMP BALL, KEEP THE BALL. ROLLING, LONG BALL, ON THE… …   Dictionary of American idioms

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