play ball

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Current and former officials said that Russia’s increasing reliance on China means Beijing could play a productive role in bringing Putin to any peace deal—if Trump can convince it to play ball, that is.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 13, 2025

"But there is also something else, something more practical which is that we simply cannot solve a challenge like stopping the boats by acting alone and telling our allies that we won't play ball."

From BBC • Jul. 10, 2025

He added that “If…universities do not play ball, lawyer up, because the federal government is coming after you.”

From Salon • May 20, 2025

And there’s the whole other theme here where it would appear that Adams was coached by Bove to essentially offer: I’ll really play ball on immigration if you’ll dismiss the cases.

From Slate • Feb. 14, 2025

“They don’t, but if I can play ball for them I know I’ll get in,” Nick said, looking at me.

From "Slam!" by Walter Dean Myers