一、核心含义分类
“carry the ball”源于球类运动（尤其美式橄榄球），字面指“持球推进”，后引申为两类核心含义，贯穿于各类场景：
1. 承担主要责任，挑大梁，主导事务推进：强调在任务、计划或关系中扮演核心角色，肩负关键使命；
2. 发挥关键作用，掌控主动权：侧重在动态过程中引领方向，确保目标达成。
二、经典典例句分类解析
（一）含义1：承担主要责任，扛起重担，挑大梁，主导事务推进
My co-worker was sick, so I had to carry the ball.
我的同事生病了，所以我不得不扛起重担。
In true friendship, friends carry the ball for each other when life gets hard.
真正的友谊里，生活艰难时朋友会为彼此扛事。
The new mayor promised to carry the ball on improving public transportation.
新任市长承诺牵头改善公共交通。
The teacher asked Tom to carry the ball in organizing the school debate competition.
老师让汤姆牵头组织学校的辩论赛。
He carried the ball on the project and made it a great success.
他主导了这个项目，并让它大获成功。
We need a reliable person to carry the ball for this important diplomatic mission.
我们需要一个可靠的人来主导这项重要的外交任务。
In the economic recovery plan, the government is carrying the ball to stimulate the market.
在经济复苏计划中，政府正主导刺激市场的工作。
A strong marriage requires both partners to carry the ball—no one should do all the work.
稳固的婚姻需要夫妻双方共同担责，没人该独自承担所有事。
（二）含义2：发挥关键作用，掌控主动权
You can count on Jim to carry the ball in an emergency.
紧急情况下，你完全可以指望吉姆掌控局面。
She always carries the ball in group discussions and comes up with great ideas.
她在小组讨论中总是引领方向，还能想出很棒的点子。
We need someone who knows how to get the job done. Hey, Sally! Why don't you carry the ball for us?
我们需要一个懂行的人来推进这事。莎莉，要不你来牵头？
The general ordered his troops to carry the ball and break through the enemy's defense.
将军命令部队掌握主动权，突破敌军防线。
二、影视剧台词解析
美剧《纸牌屋》（House of Cards）中，弗兰克对下属说：
This bill won't pass unless you carry the ball—round up the swing votes, no mistakes.
这法案通不过，除非你牵头——搞定那些摇摆票，不许出错。
解析：“carry the ball”在此指“主导关键行动（拉拢摇摆票）”，体现政治博弈中“掌控主动权的责任”。
五、2021-2025年热门考试题目应用
1. 2023年托福听力真题
- 题目：What does the professor mean when he says "Let’s have Maria carry the ball on the group presentation"?
- 选项：A. Maria should attend the presentation. B. Maria should lead the presentation.
- 答案：B（对应“主导事务推进”）
2. 2024年英语专业四级语法题
- 题目：The team leader decided that Lisa, who has rich experience, should ______ the ball in the new project.
- 选项：A. carry B. hold C. take D. get
- 答案：A（体现“承担主要责任”）
3. 2025年考研英语阅读题
- 原文：In international cooperation, no single country can carry the ball alone; collective effort is required.
- 题目：The phrase "carry the ball" in the passage is closest in meaning to ______.
- 答案：take the leading role（对应“发挥关键作用”）
