TO OPEN THE BALL, verb. phr. (colloquial).—To start or begin anything.
1812. BYRON, Waltz, xiii. [Note]. Waltz and the battle of Austerlitz are … said to have OPENED THE BALL together.
1876. Eton Chronicle, 20 July. He who OPENED THE BALL and who saw them all fall, Scarce deserved that defeat in one innings.
1887. HAGGARD, Allan Quatermain, xi. When the advancing boats were about five hundred yards away, Sir Henry OPENED THE BALL by firing at the three-parts grown young one.
TO OPEN ONE’S MOUTH TOO WIDE, verb. phr. (stock exchange).—To bid for larger amounts of stock than one can pay for.
TO OPEN UP, verb. phr. (venery).—TO SPREAD (q.v.).
