blackball

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "blackball" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to the act of excluding someone from a group or organization, often by voting against them. An example: "After the incident, he was effectively blackballed from the industry." Alternative expressions include "exclude," "shun," and "ostracize."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

It was only with great difficulty that we managed to persuade members from Cyprus not to blackball our Turkish friends—or, at least, not yet.As members can see, the list of achievements for the past year is long and should help to moderate recent complaints about low morale and a lack of direction in the club.

The Economist

Some LDP members may try to blackball Mr Yosano in the Diet (parliament).

The Economist

Feeling trapped by blackball threats".This is how a former finance chief describes his experience taking a company public, an exercise that ultimately led to convictions of fraud for him and a clutch of his superiors.

The Economist

The United States may blackball any aid to Myanmar, which produces around half the world's heroin.

The Economist

The most important thing that emerged from last week's debate was the Prime Minister's promise that if Col. Nasses should blackball the Suez club the situation will be dumped into the lap of the Security Council.

The New Yorker

In a bid to blackball Pamela Harriman, the socially active widow of an early political patron of his, Averell Harriman, Moynihan wrote, "It is depressing to say this, but I would find it difficult to enter the Century were there any prospect of this person being there".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

But for the moment Mr Cem's top priority is to keep sweet the EU, and especially its blackball-wielding Greek member.

The Economist

And when Medicaid blackballs a dodgy provider, it now shares that information with Medicare which previously it did not.

The Economist

Vocabulary: halfpipe, barriers, barge, altitude, clad, prototype, femurs, infancy, stickball, unfazed, wispy, aerodynamic, reluctance, blackballs, poseurs, conforming, vying Extension Activities: 1. Prepare a mural-sized, illustrated timeline of women in sports.

The New York Times

"Blackball Stars" shows Suttles hitting.374 with 11 home runs in exhibition games against white major leaguers.

The New York Times

Like Babe Ruth, he swung a huge bat -- more than 50 ounces, according to an account cited in the 1988 book "Blackball Stars"; modern players use bats that are lighter by a pound or more.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "blackball" when you want to convey a sense of deliberate exclusion, often involving a formal or informal vote against someone's admission or participation.

Common error

Avoid using "blackball" to describe situations where there's merely a disagreement or difference of opinion. "Blackball" implies a concerted effort to exclude someone, not just a differing viewpoint.

Linguistic Context

"Blackball" functions primarily as a verb, denoting the act of excluding someone or something, especially from a social group or organization. This aligns with Ludwig's analysis and examples, highlighting its usage in scenarios involving rejection and exclusion. It can also function as a noun.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "blackball" is a versatile term primarily functioning as a verb or noun, used to describe the act of excluding someone, often in a formal or decisive manner. As Ludwig AI confirms, the term is grammatically correct and sees frequent usage, particularly in news and media contexts. While it's a common word, it is not as precise or neutral as "exclude from membership". Remember to use "blackball" to describe situations where someone is excluded unfairly instead of a simple disagreement or differing viewpoint. It's valuable to be aware that several other words, such as "ostracize", "banish" and ""veto"" can be used depending on your specific context and the meaning you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Exclude from membership

Focuses specifically on preventing someone from joining a group or organization.

Ostracize

Implies a broader social exclusion, not necessarily tied to formal membership.

Reject outright

Emphasizes a complete and unambiguous refusal.

Veto

Highlights the act of formally blocking a proposal or candidate.

Disqualify

Suggests that someone is deemed ineligible for a role or position.

Shut out

Emphasizes preventing someone from accessing opportunities or resources.

Banish

Suggests a forceful removal and exclusion.

Give the cold shoulder

Suggests ignoring someone deliberately.

Turn down

Emphasizes refusal of admittance or opportunity.

Bar from entry

Focuses on preventing physical access or participation.

FAQs

How to use "blackball" in a sentence?

You can use "blackball" to describe the act of excluding someone from a group or organization, often through a formal vote or informal agreement. For example, "They tried to "blackball" her from the club because of her controversial views".

What can I say instead of "blackball"?

You can use alternatives like "exclude from membership", "ostracize", or "reject outright" depending on the context.

Is "blackball" a formal or informal term?

"Blackball" is generally considered a semi-formal term. While understandable in most contexts, it carries a slightly negative connotation. More formal alternatives include "disqualify" or "bar from entry".

What is the origin of the term "blackball"?

The term "blackball" comes from the practice of using black balls in secret ballots to vote against a candidate's admission to a club or organization. A single black ball was enough to "veto" the application.