Sorry, I dropped the ball on that.
The idiom “Sorry, I dropped the ball on that” is a way of saying that someone made a mistake or failed to do something they were responsible for. It’s like when you’re playing a game and you accidentally let the ball slip out of your hands, causing you to lose the game. In a non-literal sense, when someone says, “Sorry, I dropped the ball on that,” they’re admitting that they messed up or didn’t fulfill their obligations or responsibilities. It’s an acknowledgment of their mistake or failure to follow through.
This idiom is often used in professional settings as well. If someone fails to complete a task or misses a deadline, they might say, “Sorry, I dropped the ball on that project. I didn’t manage my time well, and I apologize for the delay.” It's a way of taking responsibility for one’s actions or lack thereof and expressing remorse for the negative consequences it may have caused. The phrase acknowledges the mistake and shows a willingness to make amends or learn from it.
Similar idioms: Square Peg In A Round Hole | Bite The Bullet | The Ball Is In Your Court | I’ll Take A Rain Check On That Meeting | Let's Not Reinvent The Wheel | We're Playing Catch-Up