🎮 All English games
🏠 All levels

🎱 Can you guess them from emojis?

Play the ball level, then come back here.

Play Ball

5 ball idioms, with pictures

Look at the picture, read the meaning, and listen to the example.

A worried man in a blue shirt leans over a green pool table with a cue. A black eight ball sits right in front of his white ball and blocks the shot, and a few colored balls lie on the table.

What does “Behind the eight ball” mean?

“Behind the eight ball” means in a bad spot, with a problem or not much time.

Example: I missed two days of work, so now I am behind the eight ball.

Emoji clue: back arrow, eight ball

A baseball batter in a red helmet stands ready with the bat. A white baseball curves in a bending line toward him, and he looks surprised with wide eyes.

What does “A curveball” mean?

“A curveball” means a surprise that makes things harder.

Example: Losing my job was a big curveball for our family.

Emoji clue: baseball, spiral

A smiling woman in a yellow sweater gives a soccer ball a gentle push with her hand at the top of a small grassy hill. The ball starts to roll down the slope, and two coworkers behind her cheer.

What does “Get the ball rolling” mean?

“Get the ball rolling” means to start something.

Example: The meeting is late. Someone must get the ball rolling.

Emoji clue: play button, ball

A smart woman in a gray suit stands with one foot on a soccer ball in an office. She holds a tablet in one hand and a phone in the other, and she smiles with her eyes bright and alert.

What does “On the ball” mean?

“On the ball” means quick to see what to do and ready to act.

Example: Our new manager is really on the ball. She answers every email fast.

Emoji clue: on arrow, ball

A tired man in a work jacket drags a heavy black iron ball tied to his ankle with a chain across a sunny road. In the distance a small sign shows a happy beach.

What does “A ball and chain” mean?

“A ball and chain” means a heavy problem that holds you back.

Example: That old car was a ball and chain, so he sold it.

Emoji clue: chain, ball

More idioms

Feelings idioms, Time idioms, Work idioms, Money idioms, Food idioms, Travel idioms, Weather idioms, Animal idioms, Body part idioms, Home idioms, Health idioms, Love idioms, Sports idioms, Color idioms, Music idioms, Friendship idioms, Clothes idioms, Water idioms, Cat idioms, Dog idioms, Fire idioms, Business idioms, Horse idioms, Fish idioms, Bird idioms, Heart idioms, Sea idioms, American slang idioms, More American slang idioms, American shopping slang idioms, American work slang idioms, American reply slang idioms, American mood slang idioms, Flower idioms, Tree idioms, Sleep idioms, Luck idioms, Star idioms, Moon idioms, Snow idioms, Light idioms, Egg idioms, Wind idioms, Sun idioms, Hand idioms, Car idioms, Game idioms, Eye idioms, Road idioms, Head idioms, Foot idioms, Blood idioms, Cooking idioms, Thinking idioms, Teeth idioms, Ear idioms, Mouth idioms, Back idioms, Wall idioms, Brain idioms, Book idioms, Nose idioms, Ideas idioms, Face idioms, Lip idioms, Thumb idioms, Door idioms, Sweat idioms, Gold idioms, Silver idioms, Pie idioms, Bread idioms, Cold idioms, Talk idioms, or all Idiom Rush levels.

100 common English idioms and their meanings

More free English games: Jewel Quest English (vocabulary) · Word Power (B1–C1 words) · Say It Right (polite English) · Civics Rush (US citizenship test) · All English games