Please play the ball and not the man during this debate.
play the ball and not the man
idiomTo object to someone's argument by attacking the argument itself instead of them or a facet of their personality; to avoid or make the opposite of an ad hominem attack. Usually considered a positive action, and an avoidance of a fallacious argumentative technique. Often used in comparison to play the man and not the ball.
If you want to win this argument, you should play the ball and not the man instead of insulting his character.
A truly productive discussion requires all participants to play the ball and not the man, focusing strictly on the merits of the proposal rather than personal grievances.
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ball hog
In team sports, a player who keeps the ball to themselves, rather than passing it.
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ball of fire
A person who is especially active, ambitious, hard-working, or high-achieving.
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ball of malt
A glass of whiskey.
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balls of steel
Courage, audacity.
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balls to the wall
With maximum effort or commitment.
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be a man
To put up with something or take responsibility for it; to deal with something, such as pain or misfortune, without complaining.
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be one's own man
To behave independently without the influence of others.
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be the bigger man
To walk away from a conflict to prevent it from escalating.
Last updated April 17, 2026