Meaning of advance the ball | Babel Free

Definitions

1. To move the ball closer to the goal.
2. To make progress towards some shared or ultimate goal.
   broadly, figuratively

Examples

“Osweiler finished the game 22 for 41 for a measly 131 yards. He was sacked just once but spent the evening throwing short, ineffective passes that did little to advance the ball.”

“Mr. Horn said he could not be happier these days. "Comfort and trust⟳ and stuff like⟳ that are important concepts in a work⟳ environment," he said. "To the extent there are politics involved in any company it doesn't further advance the ball, the work⟳ of the studio. I have⟳ maintained that all these people who have⟳ left are talented and made valuable contributions. But at some point⟳ it's got to be about the team."”

“And so what we need⟳ to do is to deal⟳ with this issue⟳ comprehensively. We have⟳ a broken and lawless system in the United States of America. And the piecemeal approach⟳ that majority leader Frist has taken along with the Republican leadership of the Congress isn't going to advance the ball.”

“You know⟳, Scott, you could make⟳ the argument that if in the middle of this they score⟳ a bipartisan deal⟳ on healthcare, it might not be to either party's liking. But it would be a way to advance the ball. Wall Street could respond⟳ to that very favorably, tax cuts or no tax cuts.”

“In a press⟳ conference on Capitol Hill, Jeffries thanked the outgoing leadership. "From the very beginning of our arrival in the Congress, we stand⟳ on their collective broad shoulders building upon the incredible work⟳ that they've done, excited about the opportunities to advance the ball for everyday Americans as we move⟳ forward⟳ into our future," Jeffries said.”

CEFR level