ball of yarn

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ball of yarn" is a correct and commonly used term in written English.
It refers to a small, rounded bundle of yarn, often used for knitting or crocheting. You can use this phrase to describe a physical object, such as "I walked into the room and saw a beautiful, colorful ball of yarn sitting on the table." It can also be used metaphorically, such as "Her mind was a tangled ball of yarn, trying to piece together all the information she had just learned." Example: "She picked up the ball of yarn and began to knit a scarf for her friend's birthday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

She meticulously showed each thread in a ball of yarn.

The New York Times

On the first day back, "We did an activity where a teacher had a ball of yarn and she threw the ball of yarn to us.

The Washington Post

"It's like a ball of yarn," Mr. Reddick said of multiracial, interdenominational research projects like theirs.

The New York Times - Arts

"You come out with a ball of yarn, a corkscrew and one shoe," he said.

The New York Times

"It's the same ball of yarn – the hate, the prejudice, the violence.

The Guardian

The luxury company is selling a ball of yarn for $9,000.

The New York Times

3. Tom Scott's new store is as small and cozy as a ball of yarn.

The New York Times

"The devil collects it, with a grin, our love, in a ball of yarn," she continues.

The Guardian - Music

She uses one ball of yarn, and the result is continuous.

The New Yorker

More prominent are a bottle and a ball of yarn on a tabletop.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

These appear as dense structures proposed to have a ball-of-yarn-like architecture.

Cell Death and Disease

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ball of yarn" metaphorically, ensure the context clearly relates to complexity, entanglement, or something that needs unraveling.

Common error

Avoid using "ball of yarn" as a metaphor in every situation involving complexity. Use it sparingly, as overuse can diminish its impact and make your writing sound cliché.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ball of yarn" functions primarily as a noun phrase, identifying a specific object. As Ludwig highlights, it can be used both literally and metaphorically. In the literal sense, it denotes a wound bundle of yarn. Metaphorically, it often represents a tangled or complex situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ball of yarn" is a common noun phrase that, according to Ludwig AI, is grammatically correct and versatile. It's used both literally to describe a bundled yarn and metaphorically to represent complex situations. While widely accepted, avoid overuse of the metaphor to maintain its impact. As demonstrated by the numerous examples on Ludwig, the phrase appears frequently in News & Media, Academia and Wiki. The most authoritative sources, such as The New York Times and The Washington Post, commonly employ this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

skein of yarn

Refers to a different form of yarn packaging, typically a loose coil.

hank of yarn

Similar to a skein, but often implies a specific length or weight of yarn.

roll of yarn

Emphasizes the rolled-up nature of the yarn.

bundle of yarn

Highlights the gathered or collected aspect of the yarn.

clump of yarn

Suggests a less organized, more haphazard gathering of yarn.

coil of yarn

Emphasizes the spiraled or wound form of the yarn.

mound of yarn

Describes a heap or pile of yarn.

supply of yarn

Focuses on the availability or quantity of yarn.

store of yarn

Suggests a collection of yarn kept for future use.

stash of yarn

Implies a hidden or private collection of yarn.

FAQs

How can I use "ball of yarn" in a sentence?

You can use "ball of yarn" literally, as in "The cat was playing with a "ball of yarn"", or metaphorically to describe a complex situation.

What can I say instead of "ball of yarn" when referring to knitting material?

You can use terms like "skein of yarn", "hank of yarn", or simply "yarn" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "ball of yarn" to describe a tangled problem?

Yes, "ball of yarn" can be used metaphorically to describe a complex or tangled problem that needs to be untangled or understood.

What is the difference between a "ball of yarn" and a "skein of yarn"?

A "ball of yarn" is wound into a spherical shape, while a "skein of yarn" is usually loosely coiled or twisted.