ball out
(redirected from ball (someone) out)ball out
1. A misspelling of "bawl out," meaning to scold or reprimand someone in a harsh, forceful manner. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "ball" and "out." The teacher balled us out when she caught us cheating on the test. I got balled out by my mother for staying out past curfew.
2. slang In basketball, to perform extremely well on the court, especially by scoring many baskets. Footage has emerged of the legendary coach balling out during his high school team's division championship game.
3. slang In pinball, to lose the game by allowing the ball to drop into the space between and beneath the flippers. I like pinball well enough, but I always ball out before getting a good score.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.