ball down
C1 informal separable both
In simple words
To scrunch something into a round ball shape, or to curl your body up tightly.
Literal meaning: To form something downward into a ball — fairly transparent.
Meanings
1 C1 informal
To roll or squeeze a material into a compact ball shape.
"He balled down the piece of tin foil and tossed it into the bin."
Grammar: separable
2 C1 informal
To curl the body into a tight, rounded position.
"She balled down into a defensive position and pulled the blanket over herself."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Relatively rare and informal. More commonly heard in British English. May describe physical materials being scrunched or a person adopting a foetal position.
Commonly used with
paper clay dough body fist material
Forms
Base
ball down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
balls down
he/she/it
Past simple
balled down
yesterday
Past participle
balled down
have + pp
-ing form
balling down
continuous
Understand "ball down" better
Try:
Real video examples
Video examples are being collected. Check back soon.
Synonyms
Want to master this phrasal verb?
Practice "ball down" on Looplines