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.

This is playoff basketball — grow up and play ball.

From Los Angeles Times • May 9, 2026

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

During the match, supporters in the stands held signs, including "Pawol making HERstory," and "the time has come for one & all to play ball".

From BBC • Aug. 9, 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

It was a huge facility, a place for the casual workout experience, but also a facility where professional athletes—and high school and college ones—could work out, play ball, lift weights.

From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel