take one's eye off the ball

English

Etymology

From general sporting advice to look continuously at the ball as it moves.

Pronunciation

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Verb

take one's eye off the ball (third-person singular simple present takes one's eye off the ball, present participle taking one's eye off the ball, simple past took one's eye off the ball, past participle taken one's eye off the ball)

1. (idiomatic) To lose one's concentration on what is most important.

   One of the keys to success in business is never to take your eye off the ball.

   • 2022 December 14, Barry Doe, “NRT review meets Christmas deadlines”, in RAIL, number 972, page 43:

     But I regret the eye has been off the ball in recent years, and reliability, as well as service provision, is poor.

Antonyms

• keep one's eye on the ball

See also

• drop the ball