play ball
/ˌpleɪ ˈbɔːl/INFORMAL · C1
Meaning
to agree to help in the way someone wants
Examples
- 1We need the council's permission, but they won't play ball.
- 2If the other parents play ball, we can share the school run.
- 3The landlord refused to play ball, so we couldn't paint the kitchen after all.
- 4Will your brother play ball and lend us his van for the move?
- 5The shop manager played ball and swapped my jacket even without a receipt.
Grammar
Only play changes form: played, playing. Often after won't or refuse to; the person you help follows with.
Similar in meaning
More idioms about sports
All 20 idioms and the topic quiz →the gloves are offpeople are ready to fight or argue without holding backthe ball is in your courtit is now your turn to act or decideget the ball rollingto make something start happeningthrow in the towelto stop trying because you know you cannot succeeda level playing fielda situation where everyone has the same chancejump the gunto act too soon, before the right moment
English Idioms400 idioms in 20 topics — with reviews that keep them from fading
Here you get a couple of questions. The app gives you 16 practice modes, native equivalents and spaced repetition that tells you when it’s time to refresh.
