Learn a new phrase and make your English sound more natural and interesting. Words We Use is a bilingual series that helps you understand idioms like 'Keep your eye on the ball'.
Keep your eye on the ball — you’ve probably heard this expression before. Literally, in football, players must watch the ball carefully during the game. But in English, when we say keep your eye on the ball, we mean stay focused and pay attention to what’s important.
Today, you’ll hear it in all kinds of situations.
People often use it in sports to remind players to stay focused:
- Keep your eye on the ball: don’t let the other team score!
Football coaches also use this phrase to motivate their team:
- We can still win this game. Eyes on the ball and stay focused!
You can also say it to children who aren’t concentrating on their homework:
- You’ve got to read the question carefully! Keep your eye on the ball!
People also say it at work when an important task needs to be finished:
- Keep your eye on the ball, you cannot mess up this report!
You can also use it to let someone know that you need to focus:
- Don’t distract me, I’m trying to keep my eye on the ball here.
Explore the entire series Words we use by clicking here to listen!
Credits
Host: Nick Pagano
Written by: Nick Pagano
Graphic design: Dory Wang
Educational consultant: Professor Lynda Yates
Produced by: Dory Wang
