Play ball Meaning in English
expression
ˈpɫeɪ/ /ˈbɔɫ
PLAY-BAWL
plˈeɪ/ /bˈɔːl
play-BAWL
Definition
'Play ball' means to cooperate or work willingly with others. It can also literally mean to play a ball game, like baseball.
Usage & Nuances
As an idiom, it means to be cooperative, often in business or negotiations. In sports, it's used literally. The idiomatic sense is informal. Common phrases: 'refused to play ball', 'won't play ball with us'. Don't confuse with simply playing a sport.
Spanish: colaborar - jugar a la pelotaPortuguese (BR): cooperar - jogar bolaPortuguese (PT): cooperar - jogar à bolaChinese (Simplified): 合作 - 玩球Chinese (Traditional): 合作 - 玩球Hindi: सहयोग करना - गेंद खेलनाArabic: يتعاون - يلعب الكرةBengali: সহযোগিতা করা - বল খেলতে (আক্ষরিক অর্থে)Russian: сотрудничать - играть в мячJapanese: 協力する - ボール遊びをするVietnamese: hợp tác - chơi bóngKorean: 협조하다 - 공놀이를 하다Turkish: iş birliği yapmak - top oynamakUrdu: تعاون کرنا - گیند کھیلناIndonesian: bekerja sama - bermain bola
Example Sentences
Let’s play ball after school.
basic
The team was ready to play ball when the coach arrived.
basic
If you play ball with us, we can finish faster.
basic
Management won’t play ball unless we agree to their terms.
natural
He refused to play ball with the reporters.
natural
If everyone plays ball, we’ll get this done in no time.
natural