takes one's eye off the ball
Gets distracted momentarily
To take one's eye off the ball is to lose focus on what matters most, letting attention drift from the main objective.
From sports where watching the ball is essential: She took her eye off the ball and the company lost market share.
The negative form is equally common: Don't take your eye off the ball during negotiations.
- interruptionBreak in continuity
- concentrationSustained single-minded attention
- lose focusAttention slips away
- lapseBrief failure or expiration
- mental lapseBrief failure of attention
asleep at the wheel · mindfulness · diversion · error · oversight · slip-up · negligence · let one's guard down · caught off guard · failure · blunder · acuity · drop the ball · vigilance · attentiveness · preoccupation · misstep · costly mistake
takes one's eye off the ballkeeps one's eye on the ball
Maintains concentration on priorities
pays attention · concentrates · locks in · applies oneself · buckles down