carry the ball

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carry the ball

1. In American football, to literally hold the ball (and protect it in order to maintain possession) while attempting to advance it on the field, ultimately in pursuit of a touchdown. This is our last chance to tie the game, so I want Ross carrying the ball on this play.
2. By extension, to have a leading role in the completion or execution of a task or project. After I implemented that important initiative, the boss asked me to carry the ball on our next big project.
See also: ball, carry

carry the ball

 
1. Lit. to be the player who is relied on to gain yardage, especially in football. It was the fullback carrying the ball. Yes, Tom always carries the ball.
2. Fig. to be in charge; to be considered reliable enough to make sure that a job gets done. We need someone who knows how to get the job done. Hey, Sally! Why don't you carry the ball for us? John can't carry the ball. He isn't organized enough.
See also: ball, carry

carry the ball

Take charge, advance a cause, as in In our lab any of the assistants can carry the ball. This usage comes from such sports as football, where the ball-carrying player gives the team yardage or a touchdown. By the early 1900s it was being transferred to other endeavors.
See also: ball, carry

carry the ˈball

(American English, informal) take responsibility for getting something done: My co-worker was sick, so I had to carry the ball. ♢ We need a couple of Senators who will carry the ball for us in Congress.
See also: ball, carry

carry the ball

Informal
To assume the leading role; do most of the work.
See also: ball, carry
References in classic literature ?
One of them, tossing a ball about with her racket, happened to drive it into the shrubbery, whence, to the surprise of the company, Smilash presently emerged, carrying the ball, blinking, and proclaiming that, though a common man, he had his feelings like another, and that his eye was neither a stick nor a stone.
View in context
For me it is about doing my job right and part of that is carrying the ball," the 24-year-old said.
MATURITY PAYS OFF FOR BIG SAM
Before that Allen read out a statement issued from Croke Park explaining how referee Martin Sludden had acknowledged his error in awarding a goal despite Joe Sheridan carrying the ball over the line to snatch a first Leinster title in 53 years from Louth's grasp.
WEE WAIT; LEINSTER FINAL FIASCO THE FALL-OUT
He enjoys carrying the ball out of our own end but he's a winger and they're paid to score tries.
Hull KR 36 Warrington 16 [...]; rugby ROUND-UP
Midway through the first half against West Brom, Carragher paused as he was carrying the ball out of defence, and fired a volley of words at the Centenary Stand.
HOW CARRA GOT CROWD ABUSE FROM AN UNEXPECTED SOURCE
Into the second half and Lewis Treloar decided to take matters into his own hands - carrying the ball from the half way line, past three Cargo Fleet players and smashing into the back of the net to put Brotton ahead.
Brotton
5 If the ball, or a player carrying the ball, goes out of play on the side lines, the opposing team takes possession and the game restarts with a simple penalty.
Horseball Rules
CARSON -- Marshall Jones didn't plan on carrying the ball much this season for Oaks Christian of Westlake Village.
OAKS GETS CARRIED BY THE JONES BOYS BROTHERS SHINE IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Phil Jevons volleyed Grimsby back into contention, but the game was as good as over in first-half stoppage-time when goalkeeper Aidan Davison was penalised for carrying the ball out of his area.
Football: Port Vale 5 Grimsby 1
This can be accomplished by either 3 passing to 6 or 3 carrying the ball to 6's position (6 must replace 3 with a dummy cut underneath 3's sweeping action).
Zap the zone: With a simple sideway 3-3. (Lacrosse)
But James ran the show, carrying the ball for a franchise record 219 yards and scoring three touchdowns in the process.
Good Weekend, Bad Weekend:
The convoy of semi-trailers traveled the 750 kilometres from Santa Cruz to the San Simon site carrying the ball mill, cone crusher, two 75,000 litre diesel fuel tanks, flotation cells, a jig, a shaking table and diesel generators.
Eaglecrest Explorations Ltd.: Gold Recovery Plant Mobilization and Installation Under Way
Bradley set the physical tone early, carrying the ball sixtimes on a nine-play, 88-yard drive that he capped with a 1-yard touchdown run.
AGOURA RUNS OVER RIO MESA BRADLEY BEATS SPARTANS AT THEIR OWN GAME AGOURA 26, RIO MESA 7
After Champ Bailey intercepted Tom Brady's pass and raced toward the end zone, he began to coast toward the goal line, carrying the ball like a bouquet.
A FEARLESS FOURSOME
In the first half, Vince Young threw a lateral that worked, Selvin Young carrying the ball in for the touchdown that made it 16-7 and said the Trojans were in for a tough game.
ON THIS NIGHT, TEXAS JUST BETTER
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