Definition of the Phrasal Verb “Ball Up”

“Ball up” can be used both literally and figuratively:

1. To Make a Ball Shape:
   • To form something into a ball shape, typically used with materials like paper, cloth, or dough.
2. To Mess Up or Make a Mistake:
   • To create confusion, errors, or a problematic situation, often due to a mistake or poor handling. This usage is more common in informal contexts.

Prepositions

• Before “ball up”: Often used with the noun or noun phrase representing what is being formed into a ball or what is being messed up.
  • Example: “She balled up the paper.”
• After “ball up”: Typically followed by the noun or noun phrase representing the item being messed up or the situation created.
  • Example: “He balled up the plans.”

Collocations

• Ball up a piece of paper
• Ball up a cloth
• Ball up a mistake
• Ball up a plan
• Ball up a situation

Example Sentences

1. She balled up the piece of paper and threw it in the trash.
2. The cat loves to ball up the yarn and play with it.
3. He accidentally balled up the report, causing confusion.
4. The chef balled up the dough to prepare it for baking.
5. They balled up their plans after realizing the timing was off.
6. He felt embarrassed when he balled up his presentation and had to start over.
7. The children balled up the old newspapers for recycling.
8. She balled up the napkin to clean up the spill.
9. The project was balled up by a series of miscommunications.
10. He balled up his socks and put them in the laundry basket.
11. They balled up the instructions and discarded them after finding a better way.
12. The dog loves to ball up the plastic bottles and chew on them.
13. She balled up the sweater to fit it into the suitcase.
14. The team’s efforts were balled up due to a lack of coordination.
15. He balled up the piece of cloth to use it as a cushion.
16. The meeting was balled up by a series of technical difficulties.
17. She balled up the magazine and tossed it aside in frustration.
18. The manager balled up the budget due to a clerical error.
19. He balled up the old maps and stored them in the attic.
20. The new policy balled up the workflow, leading to confusion.
21. She balled up the leftover food and threw it away.
22. The presentation was balled up by incorrect data.
23. He balled up the plastic wrap and discarded it after use.
24. The game was balled up by a sudden rule change.
25. They balled up the cloth to create a makeshift pillow.
26. She balled up the receipts and stuffed them into her purse.
27. The plans were balled up by unforeseen circumstances.
28. He balled up the fabric and began sewing it into a new shape.
29. The system was balled up by a glitch that affected the entire operation.
30. She balled up the receipt to use as a reference later.
31. The negotiations were balled up by conflicting interests.
32. He balled up the gift wrap and placed it in the recycling bin.
33. The process was balled up by a lack of clear instructions.
34. She balled up the old clothes and donated them to charity.
35. The project was balled up by multiple revisions and changes.
36. He balled up the maps after using them for the trip.
37. The plans for the event were balled up due to a sudden venue change.
38. She balled up the pieces of cloth to make room in her closet.
39. The discussion was balled up by unnecessary arguments.
40. He balled up the receipts from his trip for expense reporting.
41. The proposal was balled up by a missing key detail.
42. She balled up the old magazines and took them to the recycling center.
43. The project’s progress was balled up by a lack of resources.
44. He balled up the leftover paper and put it in the recycling bin.
45. The meeting was balled up by a series of misunderstandings.
46. She balled up the napkin and used it to clean the spill.
47. The event was balled up by unexpected cancellations.
48. He balled up the used wrapping paper and threw it away.
49. The report was balled up by incorrect figures and errors.
50. She balled up the fabric scraps to make a quilt.