play ball

Related to play ball: Play-Doh

play ball

1. In baseball, a phrase traditionally said or shouted by the umpire to start the game. It always takes me back to summertime as a kid when I hear an umpire shout "play ball!"
2. To cooperate with someone; to do what someone wants or says. If you play ball, we'll be able to reduce your sentence from eight years to just two. Just play ball and do what they say, and nobody will get hurt!
See also: ball, play
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

play ball

1. Cooperate, as in The opposing attorneys refused to play ball with us. [Slang; c. 1900]
2. 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]
See also: ball, play
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

play ball

COMMON If someone plays ball, they do what you want them to do. If they still won't play ball with us, we will have no choice but to take them to court. They thought they could use him for their propaganda, but he refused to play ball. Note: The usual American expression is play hardball.
See also: ball, play
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

play ball

work willingly with others; cooperate. informal
The literal sense of play ball is ‘play a team ball game such as baseball or cricket’.
See also: ball, play
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

play ˈball (with somebody)

(informal) be willing to work with other people in a helpful way, especially so that somebody can get what they want: We need their help, but will they play ball? So he won’t play ball, eh? He’ll soon realize he can’t manage without us.
See also: ball, play
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

play ball

verb
See play ball with someone
See also: ball, play
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions

play ball

Slang
To cooperate: The opposing attorneys refused to play ball with us.
See also: ball, play
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • call balls and strikes
  • the plate
  • game on
  • jockey
  • bench
  • bench jockey
  • pull up stumps
  • take guard
  • burner
  • back burner
References in periodicals archive
First we can't ride bikes and play ball, then they say play hopscotch, then we can't - what would they like to do, lock us in a cage?
Hopscotch girls told to behave
Finally, Up From Conservatism is partly a memoirist's account of how and when the scales fell from his eyes: how, for example, Lind realized that Buckley was willing to play ball with Robertson after Lind had exposed Robertson's book as a heap of recycled conspiracy theories.
Up From Conservatism: Why the Right Is Wrong for America
She likes to play ball and chase leaves in the fall.
Our dog, Nadia
While nine videos are planned, the pilot program includes only three: "Play Ball," "Cinderella and Me" and "I'm American Too." The language, issues and solutions are all age-appropriate.
Different and the Same: Helping Children Identify and Prevent Prejudice
"They wanted to play ball today," said Central coach Kyle Nelson.
Anxious Burlington Central put on hold again
It is unsure whether he will have time to play ball while here.
Metta World Peace arrives in Manila, satisfies Filipino food craving
After experiencing TheBallwarmer, you will never play ball sports with cold balls again.
Sedona Innovations, LLC Introduces New Industry First Product Targeted to the Sporting Goods Industry, TheBallwarmerTM
PLAY BALL: Merseyside Baseball League outfit Caledonians are pictured at Goodison Park in 1946.
PLAY BALL: Merseyside Baseball League [...]
The big hit man has no plans to play ball if Latics look to sell him in the New Year - the club's last chance to cash in.
HOTLINE: WAITING GAME
"But there are jobs at stake and if there is a chance of getting the company going again, we shall play ball and accept."
Creditors meet on pounds lm. offer; Industrial Correspondent
SIR ALEX FERGUSON reckons Lord Stevens will never be able to come up with any evidence of corruption in the game because agents have refused to play ball.
Football: 'MAKE AGENTS TELL ALL'
Kids learning about verbs will find plenty of clarity and simple examples in Danna Meachen Rau's VERBS IN ACTION titles ($15.95 Each): new additions include TURN INTO (0761422935), MOVE ALONG (0761422919), PLAY BALL (0761422927), MAKE A FACE (0761422900), CARRY ON (0761422897), and BLOW OUT (0761422889), perfect for ESL and early readers.
Marshall Cavendish
MORE THAN 250 boys and girls from all over the country took part in the Play Ball! World Series, the UK's largest-ever youth baseball tournament, at Keresley RFC.
Football: JuniorSport - 250 turn up to Play Ball!
Fifteen Wearside primary schoolchildren are being sent to Coventry on Saturday ( for the Play Ball World Baseball Series.
Sports shorts