red ball
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
A high-profile high-priority case which draws political or media attention.
Register: slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
A police-involved shooting is by definition a red ball and, by definition, a red ball requires every warm body.
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).
Common questions
What does “red ball” mean?
A high-profile high-priority case which draws political or media attention.
Is “red ball” formal or informal?
red ball is generally slang.