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.

But Dukakis didn't play ball, opting instead to purchase a replacement from the academy for $78.

From BBC • May 1, 2026

Still, with more American buyers demanding this type of transparency, Chinese trading companies have to play ball or risk losing business, lawyers say.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 28, 2026

“During that time we got know each other,” said Davis, who left home to play ball when he was teenager.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 28, 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

“He was there to play ball, and that’s exactly what he did. He was everything you could ask for in a teammate. That’s what mattered.”

From "A High Five for Glenn Burke" by Phil Bildner