advancing the ball
Gaining field position
Advancing the ball is moving closer to a goal, originally from football where the objective is to move the ball toward the end zone.
The phrase now describes any incremental progress: We didn't close the deal, but we advanced the ball.
It implies forward motion without necessarily reaching the destination—progress worth acknowledging even if incomplete.
- progressingMoving toward completion
- dribblingBall-handling with repeated touches
- kickingStriking with foot
- passingMoving by or temporary
- running playHandoff-based offensive maneuver
making progress · shooting · collaborating · strategizing · innovating · optimizing · overcoming · initiating · executing · leading · carrying · achieving · throwing · sprinting · offensive line · intercepting · first down · goal line
advancing the ballgoing backwards
Moving in reverse direction
retreating · losing ground · sacked · backpedaling · sack
advancing the ballturnover
Sales volume or attrition
fumbling · interception · fumble · pick-six · muffing
advancing the ballstalling
Intentional delay tactics
bogging down · sputtering · grinding to a halt · punting · running into a brick wall
advance, advancing, advanced, advances, advancement, ball, balled, balling, baller