keep one's eye on the ball

From general sporting advice to look at the ball when playing it, particularly a golf ball on the tee.

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keep one's eye on the ball (third-person singular simple present keeps one's eye on the ball, present participle keeping one's eye on the ball, simple past and past participle kept one's eye on the ball)

1. (idiomatic) To maintain one's concentration fixed on one important theme.
   • 2006 Feb 18, Michael Holden quoting Sir Alan Sugar in The Guardian, You can call me Sir Al

     My ethos has always been to be very straight with people, tell it as it is. It doesn't often make people happy but I found that over a period of time it's better to be that way. So being straight, also being very focused on your objectives, keep your eye on the ball and not get deflected away from it.

• take one's eye off the ball