balls

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "balls" can be used in written English in certain contexts, usually to express determination or enthusiasm.
For example, "I'm ready to face this challenge with balls of steel!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

Nor did they have enough balls: Fifa had supplied 25 of the new Tango España balls to each participating nation but none of the ones allocated to El Salvador made it as far as the players, who had to ask Hungary to lend them a couple so they could practise before their first match.

The Guardian - Sport

Evans' 53 occupied just 30 balls and contained four mighty sixes.

The Guardian - Sport

Pietersen also shook hands with all the Leicestershire fielders before walking off with bat raised high, having scored 355 not out from 396 balls, including 36 fours and 15 sixes.

The Guardian - Sport

Misfiring Flintoff sums up England's Ashes by Mike Selvey After hanging on to them for just 15 months, the shortest of reigns since first the urn was given to Ivo Bligh in 1883, England handed the Ashes back to Australia two balls after lunch on the final day here yesterday.

The Guardian - Sport

Pietersen required just 27 balls to make it 150, with Hughes dispatched back over his head for two sixes in one over, the first of which will see the panel-beater at the local garage earn some extra business.

The Guardian - Sport

But then there are only men on the platform, swinging their balls.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

Three members of the Pakistani cricket team were exposed in the British press for accepting bribes to bowl deliberate no-balls in the Lord's Test against England in August 2010.

The Guardian - Sport

Maybe he simply needs to let it all go for a bit, to listen to three hours of Norwegian speed metal, take his run-up back to the sight screen and run in and bowl as fast as he can, however he can, just as Bob Willis did at Headingly in 1981 when Mike Brearley suggested he forget about bowling no-balls, just run in and whang it down.

The Guardian - Sport

Seated and buckled, we're given a rather pessimistic safety briefing ("if you hear the words 'brace brace' we are crashing and we're all going to die") and told that if mirror-balls fall from the ceiling then we should twerk ourselves into an early grave.

The Guardian - Music

The following day he totally blew a gasket, saying that Ed Balls' description of Liam Byrne's "there's no money left" note as a joke was "frankly the most appalling thing I have heard in this election campaign so far".

The Guardian

Darling, who had been briefed on the Carney speech, spoke to the shadow chancellor Ed Balls, who agreed to endorse the chancellor's statement on the same day.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In sports writing, use "balls" to refer to the physical objects, but be mindful of potential double meanings in other contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "balls" in formal writing or presentations unless you're certain the audience will understand and accept the intended meaning. The term can be considered vulgar or inappropriate in professional settings.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "balls" is as a plural noun, referring to physical objects or, figuratively, to male anatomy. Ludwig illustrates the word's versatility through examples of both literal and figurative usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sport

30%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Opinion

5%

Arts

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "balls" is multifaceted, functioning primarily as a plural noun with literal and figurative applications. It signifies courage, testicles, or nonsense depending on the context. As Ludwig highlights, its grammatical correctness is valid, and the term is very common, particularly in sport and news media. However, it's crucial to recognize that "balls" carries an informal tone and might be unsuitable for professional or academic settings. When in doubt, use related alternatives such as "spheres" or "testicles", or rephrase completely, depending on your desired meaning. While Ludwig AI indicates common usage, mindful application ensures clarity and appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rubbish

A direct synonym for "nonsense" in this context.

testicles

Specifically refers to the anatomical meaning of "balls".

spheres

Refers to round objects, similar to one meaning of "balls".

orbs

A more formal synonym for round objects.

botched job

Captures the meaning of "balls" as a poorly executed task.

courage

Relates to the metaphorical meaning of bravery associated with "balls".

mess-up

Synonymous with "botched job", indicating a mistake or failure.

chutzpah

Similar to "courage", emphasizes boldness and audacity.

nonsense

Refers to the dismissive meaning of "balls" as rubbish or untrue statements.

very

Alternative for the adverbial use.

FAQs

How can I use "balls" in a sentence?

The word "balls" can be used literally, referring to physical spheres, or figuratively, implying courage or foolishness. Examples: "He juggles six balls at once" or "He had the balls to stand up to his boss".

What does "balls" mean when referring to courage?

When someone is said to have "balls", it implies they possess bravery, audacity, or nerve. For example, "It takes balls to start your own company".

Is it appropriate to use "balls" in formal writing?

No, "balls" is generally considered informal and should be avoided in formal writing. Use alternatives such as "courage", "spheres", or rephrase the sentence to convey the intended meaning without using the term.

What's the difference between saying "he has balls" and "that's a load of balls"?

"He has balls" implies bravery or courage, while "that's a load of balls" means that something is nonsense or untrue. Context is crucial for understanding the intended meaning.