no-ball
Medium-High (in cricket contexts), Very Low (in general contexts)Technical/Sports (Cricket)
Definition
Meaning
In cricket, an illegal delivery bowled by the bowler, resulting in one run being awarded to the batting side.
Primarily confined to cricket terminology, though occasionally used metaphorically to describe any action that breaks the fundamental rules or is invalid from the start.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
A 'no-ball' is not merely a poor delivery; it is an illegal one according to specific rules (e.g., the bowler overstepping the crease, an illegal arm action, dangerous short-pitched bowling). It is a noun by default but can be used attributively (e.g., 'no-ball call'). The verb 'to no-ball' (to call a delivery a no-ball) is less common.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is identical in form and core meaning in both varieties, but its recognition and frequency are vastly different due to cricket's popularity. It is common knowledge in the UK and other Commonwealth nations but highly specialized, niche knowledge in the US.
Connotations
In the UK/Commonwealth, it carries standard sports-terminology connotations. In the US, it would be recognized only by cricket enthusiasts or in international sports contexts.
Frequency
Very high frequency in UK sports media during cricket season; exceptionally low frequency in general American English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Umpire] no-balled [Bowler] for [Infraction].[Delivery] was adjudged a no-ball.The call was a no-ball.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's a no-ball from the start (metaphorical: an invalid proposal or action).”
Usage
Context Usage
Academic
Potentially in sports science or sociology papers analyzing cricket.
Everyday
Only in everyday conversation in cricket-playing nations during relevant seasons or events.
Technical
Core technical term in cricket law and commentary.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The square-leg umpire no-balled him for a suspect action.
- He was no-balled twice in that over.
American English
- In the club match, the umpire no-balled the pace bowler for overstepping.
adjective
British English
- The no-ball call changed the momentum of the over.
- They reviewed the front-foot no-ball decision.
American English
- The no-ball rule in Twenty20 cricket is strictly enforced.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The umpire said it was a no-ball.
- The batter got a run from the no-ball.
- The bowler was upset after bowling a no-ball in the final over.
- A free hit is awarded after most types of no-ball.
- The controversial no-ball decision was later overturned by the third umpire's review.
- A waist-high full toss is automatically called a no-ball under the current regulations.
- Analysts noted that his propensity to bowl no-balls under pressure had cost his team several crucial matches.
- The legality of his action was questioned, but he was no-balled only occasionally for overstepping.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a bowler with one foot on a line marked 'NO'. If they cross it, the ball is a NO-BALL. NO stepping over the line.
Conceptual Metaphor
A foundational rule violation; an action invalidated by a basic procedural error.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate literally as 'нет мяча' (absence of a ball). The concept is 'неправильная подача' or 'но-бол' as a direct borrowing in sports contexts.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'no-ball' to mean a missed ball or a ball not played at (correct: 'play and miss').
- Confusing 'no-ball' with 'wide' (an illegal delivery for passing too wide of the batter).
Practice
Quiz
What is NOT a common reason for a delivery to be called a no-ball in cricket?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Both are illegal deliveries, but for different reasons. A 'no-ball' is primarily for a bowler's infringement (like overstepping), while a 'wide' is because the ball passes too far from the batter to be playable.
One run is added to the batting team's score (the 'no-ball extra'). Additionally, the batter cannot be dismissed off that delivery in most standard ways (like being bowled or caught), and in limited-overs cricket, the next delivery is often a 'free hit' where the batter cannot be dismissed by most means.
It is almost exclusively a cricket term. Metaphorical use (e.g., 'That business proposal was a no-ball') is possible but rare and understood primarily by those familiar with cricket.
Cricket is not a major sport in the United States. The dominant bat-and-ball sports are baseball and softball, which have entirely different rules and terminologies (e.g., a 'balk' or an 'illegal pitch' in baseball might be a rough functional analogy, but not a direct equivalent).