Keep your eyes on the ball, have a word with

[Ju]

What is the meaning of :

1) Keep your eyes on the ball.

2) I am going to have a word with you later.
(I know speaker means 'I am going to talk to you later. I would like to know whether it is a proper English in right grammar.)

Tks / ju

 

[BobK]

What is the meaning of :

1) Keep your eyes on the ball.

I've usually heard it as 'keep your eye on the ball'. It's a common sporting metaphor, often applied to business. In its original context it means 'Watch the ball. Don't be distracted by the other player's fancy moves. In the wider context, it just means 'focus your attention on your main goal'.

2) I am going to have a word with you later.
(I know speaker means 'I am going to talk to you later. I would like to know whether it is a proper English in right grammar.)

Tks / ju

'Have a word with' is an idiom. It means 'Speak to, often severely, in a way that involves more than a single word'! It is informal, but in wide use.

(Note: just because more than one word is involved, don't confuse this with another expression - 'have words with'. ;-) When you 'have words with' someone, you have an argument.

So Tom might say to Dick 'Harry's really getting on my nerves. If he does that again, I swear we're going to have words.'

And the conciliatory Tom might say: 'Harry means well. He probably doesn't even realize how irritating you find him. Leave it to me - I'll have a word with him.'

I hope that's not too confusing. ;-))

b