ball game

American  

Or ballgame

noun

1. any game played with a ball, especially baseball or softball.

2. Informal. a situation and all its attendant circumstances.

   Having a new administration in power changes the entire ball game at city hall.

3. Archaeology. a ceremonial game of both ritual and sporting significance, played by teams on a ball court in Mesoamerican cultures from the Preclassic period to the Spanish conquest.

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ball game British  

noun

1. any game played with a ball

2. a game of baseball

3. informal a situation; state of affairs (esp in the phrase a whole new ball game )

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Etymology

Origin of ball game

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50

Example Sentences

As soon as he got Abby settled on her bed, he would turn on the radio and listen to the ball game.

From Literature

One small boy was absorbed in a ball game with a cat with luminescent fur.

From Literature

“Any time that I was ever part of a team that had a great offense and scored a lot of points, we won a lot of ball games,” Patterson said.

From Los Angeles Times

The 54-year-old has not shied away from a bold time-frame, as a result, even if this is obviously a very different ball game.

From BBC

But holding hands … on purpose … is another ball game entirely.

From Literature