How do you use "Play ball" in a sentence?

If they play ball, we can get this done. Are you willing to play ball? They refused to play ball.

Play ball

Q: What does "Play ball" mean?

To cooperate or participate. From baseball—the umpire's call to start the game. Now means to cooperate, go along with something, or participate.

Slang Term AmericanBritish ★★★★☆ Common Casual

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Meaning: To cooperate or participate.

合作或参与。

Cooperar o participar.

協力する、参加する。

협조하다, 참여하다.

From baseball—the umpire's call to start the game. Now means to cooperate, go along with something, or participate.

源自棒球——裁判宣布比赛开始的喊声。现在意味着合作、配合或参与。

Del béisbol—la señal del árbitro para iniciar el juego. Ahora significa cooperar, seguir el juego o participar.

野球由来の表現。審判が試合開始を告げる合図から。協力する、同調する、参加するという意味で使われる。

야구에서 유래—심판이 경기 시작을 알리는 외침. 현재는 협조하거나, 동의하거나, 참여한다는 뜻으로 쓰인다.

Literal meaning: Start playing baseball

Examples

If they play ball, we can get this done.
如果他们配合，我们就能完成这件事
Si cooperan, podemos terminar esto
彼らが協力してくれれば、これを終わらせられる
그쪽에서 협조해주면 이걸 끝낼 수 있어.
Are you willing to play ball?
你愿意配合吗？
¿Estás dispuesto a cooperar?
協力する気はある？
협조할 의향이 있어?
They refused to play ball.
他们拒绝配合
Se negaron a cooperar
彼らは協力を拒否した
그들은 협조를 거부했다.

Pronunciation

/pleɪ bɔːl/

Usage Guide

Context: cooperation, negotiation, participation

Tone: practical, persuasive

✓ Do Say

Will they play ball?
他们会配合吗？
¿Colaborarán?
彼らは協力してくれるかな？
그쪽이 협조할까?
Ready to play ball.
准备好配合了
Listo para colaborar
協力する準備はできている
협조할 준비됐어.
Refused to play ball.
拒绝配合
Se negó a colaborar
協力を拒否した
협조를 거부했어.

✗ Don't Say

Cooperate
Cooperate（合作）
Cooperate（cooperar）
Cooperate（協力する）
협력하다
Participate
Participate（参与）
Participate（participar）
Participate（参加する）
참여하다

Common Mistakes

Baseball origin
Now means general cooperation

Origin & History

From baseball—the umpire's traditional call to start the game.

Etymology: American baseball slang, 19th century

First recorded: Late 19th century

Cultural Context

Era: 19th century to present

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: American baseball; Business negotiations

Regional notes: American baseball term, now also used in British English.

Variations

Play ballPlaying ballPlay ball with