Take (one's) ball and go home In english explanation

The meaning, explanation, definition and origin of the idiom/phrase "take (one's) ball and go home", English Idiom Dictionary ( also found in Vietnamese )

author Tommy Tran calendar 2022-04-10 03:04

Meaning of Take (one's) ball and go home

Take (one's) ball and go home idiom verb phrase

Used to refer to someone who stops taking part in an activity when it didn't turn out the way they wanted. In doing so, they also prevent others from continuing the activity.

Johnny is just a smart ass who likes to control people. If things don't work as he expected, he will take his ball and go home.

You have to be clever when dealing with clients. You don't want them to take their balls and go home, do you?

Other phrases about:

a cheap skate

If you describe someone as a cheap skate, you mean he or she is a stingy person.

Tight-Fisted

Used to say that someone is unwilling to spend money; stingy and miserly.

cutting remark

Mean words that hurt others' feelings.

ugly customer

A very nasty, dangerous or vicious individual.

Grammar and Usage of Take (one's) ball and go home

Verb Forms

  • taking (one's) ball and going home
  • takes (one's) ball and goes home
  • took (one's) ball and went home

The verb "take" should be conjugated according to its tense.

Origin of Take (one's) ball and go home

This phrase comes from the image of a group of children playing together, then the one who owns the ball doesn't want to play anymore and takes the ball home, therefore preventing others from continuing playing.

The Origin Cited: Internet .
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