Reading Theme:

Language:

Font Size:

📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Pass the Ball: Meaning, Usage, and Examples (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：Pass the ball (in sports) (Pass the Ball)

Pass the Ball 🔊

/pæs ðə bɔːl/

phr.

To throw or kick the ball to a teammate in a sports game.

Soccer player passing the ball to teammate on field

Pass the ball (in sports) 🔊

➕

/pæs ðə bɔːl/

phr.

To throw, kick, or hand the ball to a teammate during a game.

📁 Category：Entertainment & Sports 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Pass from Latin passus (step), ball from Old English beallu. Together mean 'send ball to teammate'.

💡 Mnemonic

Picture a basketball: when you pass, you share the play. Remember: passing the ball = passing the chance or passing the blame!

📖 Example

In the final minutes, he decided to pass the ball to the striker for a chance to win. 🔊 He passed the ball to the striker in the final minutes to secure a win.

🔗 Collocations

pass the ball to – to throw or kick the ball to a teammate

quick pass – a fast throw or kick of the ball to another player

forward pass – a pass that moves the ball toward the opponent's goal

🔄 Synonyms

feed (v.) – to pass the ball to a teammate in sports

assist (v.) – to help a teammate score by passing the ball

send (v.) – to direct the ball toward another player

🚫 Antonyms

hold the ball (phr.) – to keep possession instead of passing

dribble (v.) – to move with the ball without passing

shoot (v.) – to attempt a goal instead of passing

🌱 Derivatives

passing (n.) – the act of passing the ball

passer (n.) – a player who passes the ball

📖 Cultural Story

'Pass the ball' originated in 19th-century team sports like soccer. Its figurative sense 'shift responsibility' is akin to 'pass the buck' from poker, where a buck (knife handle) indicated the next dealer.

Meaning 2：Shift responsibility (Pass the Ball)

Pass the Ball 🔊

/pæs ðə bɔːl/

phr.

To avoid taking responsibility by giving a task or problem to someone else.

Office worker passing task to colleague symbolizing responsibility

Shift responsibility 🔊

➕

/ʃɪft rɪˌspɒnsəˈbɪləti/

phr.

To avoid taking responsibility by delegating a task or problem to someone else.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

In group projects, it's not fair to always pass the ball when challenges arise. 🔊 Always passing the ball in group projects is unfair.

🔗 Collocations

pass the ball to someone – to shift a responsibility or problem to another person

shift the blame – to make someone else be blamed for a mistake

avoid responsibility – to stay away from duties or obligations

🔄 Synonyms

pass the buck (phr.) – to shift responsibility to another person

shirk (v.) – to avoid a duty or responsibility

evade (v.) – to escape from a responsibility or obligation

🚫 Antonyms

take responsibility (phr.) – to accept and handle a duty or blame

own up (phr.) – to admit one's fault or responsibility

shoulder the blame (phr.) – to accept blame for something