play ball
Idioms-
Cooperate, as in The opposing attorneys refused to play ball with us . [ Slang ; c. 1900]
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Get going, start, as in It's time to get a move on; let's play ball . This usage comes from the baseball umpire's call to start a game. [ Slang ; late 1800s]
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
His only hope was to stop thinking about his failures, stop caring so much about the results—and simply play ball.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026
“There’s no pressure on me. I can just go out there play free, play ball, let the game come to me,” Donald said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 8, 2026
You’ve got to play games, or you’ve got to play ball with them.
From Slate ● Aug. 22, 2026
Now, if only the energy gods would also play ball by keeping the lights on for the matches.
From Barron's ● Jun. 14, 2026
"Aaron should keep his mouth closed if he don't know what he's talking about. Charlie ain't going back to Rahway. He's right upstairs sleeping. You here to play ball or give me the third degree?"
From "Miracle's Boys" by Jacqueline Woodson
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
