"balls-up" Natural Recordings by Native Speakers
"Balls-up" is an informal British slang term used to describe a situation that has gone completely wrong or become chaotic. It implies a mess or a botched attempt at something.
1. Idiomatic Usage: "Oh, that was a complete balls-up! I can't believe we forgot to book the venue for the party."
2. Describing a Mistake: "The project was a total balls-up from the start; we underestimated the costs and missed the deadline."
3. Expressing Frustration: "If you don't stop interfering, you'll turn this whole operation into a balls-up!"
4. Sports Context: "The goalkeeper made a massive balls-up, letting the ball slip through his hands and into the goal."
5. Casual Conversation: "I thought I saved the file, but it's gone now – what a balls-up!"
Ballottement is a medical term used to describe a diagnostic technique in obstetrics, where a healthcare provider gently bounces or taps the孕妇's abdomen to assess the position and size of the fetus. It helps determine the presentation, maturity, and mobility of the fetus, as well as the amount of amniotic fluid present. The term is primarily associated with prenatal exams and is not commonly used in everyday language.
"Ballottine" is a French term used in cooking, particularly in butchery and culinary arts. It refers to a method of preparing a stuffed and rolled meat, such as chicken, veal, or pork. The meat is boned, flattened, filled with a stuffing, then rolled and tied or sewn shut before being cooked. This technique results in an elegant and flavorful dish that can be served as an entrée or in smaller portions as an appetizer.
"Ballpark" is an informal term that refers to an approximate or estimated value, often used when a precise figure is not available or not necessary. It can also refer to a general range or area, as in "We're looking at a ballpark figure of $10,000 for the project" or "The solution lies somewhere in the ballpark of those options." The term originates from the idea of estimating the distance of a ball flying in a baseball stadium, where giving an exact measurement may not be essential but a rough estimate is sufficient.
A ballpen is a writing instrument that uses a small ball at the tip to dispense ink onto paper. It is also commonly known as a ballpoint pen. The ball in the tip rolls as you write, allowing the ink to flow smoothly and create a line on the paper. Ballpens are widely used and convenient for everyday writing due to their reliability and ease of use.
A ballpoint pen is a writing instrument that has a small metal ball at the tip which distributes ink from a cartridge as it rolls against the paper. The term "ballpoint" refers to this distinctive feature. It was invented as an alternative to fountain pens, providing a more reliable and mess-free writing experience.
"Ballpoints" refers to ballpoint pens, a type of writing instrument that uses a small ball at the tip to dispense ink onto paper. The ballpoint pen is characterized by its smooth writing and resistance to smudging, as the ink dries quickly once it's applied. It has become a common and widely used tool for everyday writing.
A ballroom is a large, elegant room specifically designed for dancing, particularly formal dances or balls. It typically features a wooden floor suitable for dancing, a stage for musicians or performers, and often decorative elements such as chandeliers, mirrors, and ornate decorations. Ballrooms are commonly found in grand hotels, mansions, event venues, or social clubs and are used for events like weddings, galas, and social gatherings where guests can dance to live music or a DJ.
Ballrooms are large, elegant rooms specifically designed for dancing, typically used for formal events such as balls, weddings, and other social gatherings. They often feature a wooden dance floor, chandeliers, mirrors, and decorative elements to create an atmosphere of grandeur and sophistication.