take one's eye off the ball
Neglect the priority
To take one's eye off the ball is to lose focus on what matters most, letting attention drift from a primary task or goal.
The image comes from sports where watching the ball is fundamental—in baseball, tennis, cricket.
The company took its eye off the ball and lost market share to competitors.
The negative form is more common: Don't take your eye off the ball during negotiations.
- failureLack of success
- errorFault in communication
- lapseBrief failure or expiration
- lose focusAttention slips away
- concentrationSustained single-minded attention
costly mistake · oversight · setback · attentiveness · blunder · distraction · repercussion · drop the ball · missed opportunity · vigilance · forgetfulness · complacency · awareness · let one's guard down · omission · slip through the cracks · consequence · slip-up
take one's eye off the ballkeep one's eye on the ball
Remain attentive to priorities
stay focused · pay attention · concentrate · zero in · lock in
take one's eye off the ballkeep watch
Maintain vigilant observation
keep tabs on · mind the store · stay alert · stand sentinel · keep one's wits about one
take one's eye off the ballkeep one's eye on the ball
Remain attentive to priorities
keep watch · pay attention · be on the lookout · keep tabs on · stand guard