Even if he loses the ball inadvertently he cannot touch the ball before someone else, either a teammate or an opponent, touches it first. Or he’d be whistled for double dribble. Anyways, “dropping the ball” actually happens a lot in a basketball game, and seemingly is a negligible mistake.
Small mistake it is for sure, but at the crucial moment of a game, say the final seconds of a tie game (with both teams scoring the same amount of points), a small mistake like that may prove critical. It becomes a matter of life and death, perhaps turning a potential win to a bitter loss.
Same thing in volleyball or American football, where a careless drop of the ball may lead to a lost point or a touchdown by the opposing team – which all may eventually cost you a game.
Now you see the significance of “dropping the ball”.
Metaphorically speaking, if someone drops the ball – by wearing casual dress for a formal occasion or saying the wrong thing in public or such like – he makes a gaff which may prove very costly. If he repeatedly drops the ball, well, maybe he’s too careless to do his job.
Or he’s simply not the person to be trusted with any responsibility.
I think you’ve fully grasped the idea. Now, media examples:
1. A federal government plan for responding to emergencies will not be ready in time for the approaching hurricane season, officials have told Congress.
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