ball up
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
To crush or form into a ball shape.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
She balled up her paper in frustration.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
To crush or form into a ball shape. — To form melted metals into balls or lumps to roll them out of a furnace for further use.
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 3
Meaning · English
To coil up into a ball.
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “ball up” mean?
To crush or form into a ball shape.
Is “ball up” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.