STEP BY STEP 英語表現1063

drop the ball

へまをやる◆【語源】ボールを落とすと失点したりゲームが中断されるスポーツのイメージから。◆【参考】The ball is in my court.；〔やり始めたことなどを〕投げやりにする、中途半端でやめる、途中で放棄する

drop the ball on
〈主に米話〉〔重要なことなど〕に関してへまを［うっかり・（ばかな）ミスを］する、～にきちんと対応しない［できない］

Joey: Hey. Mr. Douglas is looking for you.
Chandler: Why? Wh- wh- why is Mr. Douglas looking for me?
Joey: ‘Cause he has a strong suspicion that you dropped the ball on the Lender project.
Chandler: Wha- wh- why, why, why does he suspect that?
Joey: Becasue at first he thought it was Joseph. But after he asked Joseph about it, turns out it was you. Anyway, I just thought you should know.

– “FRIENDS” Season 2 Episode 23

Joey: Hello?
Phoebe (doing Estelle): Joey, it’s Estelle.
Joey: I was just gonna call you! That’s weird.
Phoebe-Estelle: It’s a little coincidental, but believable. (Joey nods in agreement). Listen, I’m sure you’re wondering why I didn’t get you an audition for that TV movie.
Joey: Yeah, actually I am!
Phoebe-Estelle: I guess I dropped the ball there. Whoopsie!
Joey: That’s it? You know, it seems all you do lately is drop the ball.
Phoebe-Estelle: Don’t take that tone with me. Who you think you are? Alan Lemond, the first black man to fly solo across the Atlantic?
Joey: No, no, look. All I’m saying is that you’re my agent, ok? And you’re not getting me into any auditions and I’m tired of it.
Phoebe-Estelle: What are you saying?
Joey: I’m saying that… (pause). This isn’t working for me anymore, ok? Estelle, you’re fired. Goodbye. (he hangs up the phone).
Phoebe: Man, tough week for Estelle!

– “FRIENDS” Season 10 Episode 15