take one's eye off the ball en · VERB
Pronunciation
- (Australia) audio
Etymology
From general sporting advice to look continuously at the ball as it moves.
Meanings
-
(idiomatic) To lose one's concentration on what is most important.
But I regret the eye has been off the ball in recent years, and reliability, as well as service provision, is poor.
2022 December 14, Barry Doe, “NRT review meets Christmas deadlines”, in RAIL, number 972, page 43:One of the keys to success in business is never to take your eye off the ball.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| take one's eyes off the ball | alternative | lexicographic | |
| taking one's eye off the ball | Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| takes one's eye off the ball | Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres | lexicographic | |
| took one's eye off the ball | Tense=Past | lexicographic | |
| taken one's eye off the ball | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic |