play ball
To start anything tumultuous.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“If you want to succeed, you must play ball with the team.”
“The manager told the new employee that he needed to play ball if he wanted to keep his job.”
“Despite his initial reservations about the merger, the CEO eventually decided to play ball to ensure the company's long-term survival.”
- 01
ball hog
In team sports, a player who keeps the ball to themselves, rather than passing it.
- 02
ball of fire
A person who is especially active, ambitious, hard-working, or high-achieving.
- 03
ball of malt
A glass of whiskey.
- 04
balls of steel
Courage, audacity.
- 05
balls to the wall
With maximum effort or commitment.
- 06
bust one's balls
To work very hard; to put in a lot of effort.
- 07
carry the ball
To lead in terms of responsibility, initiative, or progress.
- 08
child's play
Something particularly easy or simple.
Last updated August 10, 2026