jump ball

IPA/ˈdʒʌmp bɔːl/
IPA/ˈdʒʌmp bɔːl/

jump ball — noun

1. In basketball, when the referee tosses the ball straight up between two opposing

1.nounB2
Definition

In basketball, when the referee tosses the ball straight up between two opposing players, who then jump and try to knock it toward a teammate — used to begin the game or bring it back into play after a stoppage.

Example

Amara won the jump ball and passed it to her teammate near the basket.

collocation: win the jump ball

The referee called for a jump ball after both players grabbed the ball at once.

collocation: call for a jump ball

Common collocations
  • win the jump ball
  • call for a jump ball
  • tip the jump ball
  • after the jump ball
Synonyms
  • tip-off

    only the very first play of a game; a jump ball can happen at any point

Usage Note

Specifically a basketball term. In many modern leagues, jump balls are now rare outside the opening tip-off — most restarts use a possession arrow instead.

2. A situation where nobody can tell which side will come out ahead, because the re

2.nounB2
Definition

A situation where nobody can tell which side will come out ahead, because the result could genuinely go either way — used especially in politics, business, and sports reporting.

Example

The election was a real jump ball until the last votes were counted.

With two strong candidates, the promotion felt like a jump ball to everyone.

pattern: a jump ball — used after 'be' or 'become'

Common collocations
  • a real jump ball
  • become a jump ball
  • remain a jump ball
Synonyms
  • toss-up

    more casual; the default everyday word for an uncertain outcome

  • coin flip

    stresses a pure 50-50 chance, as if decided by luck

  • fifty-fifty

    informal; often used about personal chances

Antonyms

Usage Note

Always singular and preceded by 'a'. Common in newspaper and broadcast reporting on elections, takeover bids, and close competitions.

Common Mistakes

The game was jump ball.
The game was a jump ball.
The figurative sense always needs the article 'a'.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

Jump ball, toss-up, coin flip, fifty-fifty, and crapshoot all describe situations where the outcome is uncertain. Jump ball is the most formal of these and often appears in political and business reporting — it carries the image of two sides competing for control. Toss-up is slightly more casual and is the most common choice in everyday speech about uncertain outcomes, especially elections. Coin flip emphasizes a pure 50-50 chance, as if decided by luck alone. Fifty-fifty is informal and often used about personal chances ('my chances of getting the job are fifty-fifty'). Crapshoot is very informal and implies the outcome depends entirely on luck, often with a negative tone. Example: 'The Senate race is a jump ball' (neutral, formal reporting) versus 'The Senate race is a toss-up' (neutral, everyday) versus 'The Senate race is a crapshoot' (informal, suggesting chaos).

toss-up ↗coin flip ↗fifty-fifty ↗crapshoot ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

  • a jump ball situation

Etymology

English

Formed from jump and ball. The term appeared in early 20th-century basketball, soon after James Naismith codified the sport's rules in the 1890s. In the original game, a jump ball was used after every scored basket, making it far more frequent than in today's game. The figurative sense — describing any contest whose outcome is genuinely up for grabs — emerged later, drawing on the image of a decision hanging in the air like a ball tossed between two opponents.

First known use

1924

1924, in the meaning defined above