play ball

USAGE SUMMARY

"play ball" can be used in written English.
It is typically used as an informal phrase to encourage someone to start an activity. For example, "Let's play ball!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Play ball?

The New York Times - Sports

Can billionaires play ball?

The New Yorker

So: Play ball!

The New Yorker

Finally, let's play ball.

The New York Times

"So let's play ball.

The New York Times - Sports

We play ball together.

The New York Times

PAGE A17 Play Ball!

The New York Times

Not "Play ball".

The New York Times - Sports

4. Play ball.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Single, double-play ball, strikeout.

The New York Times

Determine Who Will Play Ball.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "play ball" when you want to convey a sense of readiness and enthusiasm to start a game or any collaborative project. It's a versatile idiom, but be mindful of your audience; it's more appropriate in informal or neutral settings.

Common error

Avoid using "play ball" in strictly formal or professional documents where a more direct and less idiomatic phrase is required. For example, instead of saying "We need the departments to play ball", use "We need the departments to cooperate effectively".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "play ball" is as an idiomatic expression. It acts as a verb phrase, functioning either as an imperative to begin a game (as seen in examples from Ludwig) or figuratively to indicate cooperation or agreement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sports

25%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

3%

Science

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "play ball" is a versatile idiom with literal and figurative meanings. It's commonly used to initiate a game or, more broadly, to express cooperation or agreement. Ludwig's analysis shows that while grammatically correct and very common, "play ball" is best suited for neutral to informal contexts. When writing, avoid using it in highly formal settings where more direct language is preferred. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase's adaptability makes it a valuable addition to your vocabulary, provided you're mindful of the setting and audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

begin the game

Specifically refers to starting a game, like baseball, directly related to the literal meaning of "play ball".

get the ball rolling

An idiom that means to start something or get something going, sharing the initiating aspect of "play ball".

work together

Emphasizes the collaborative aspect, aligning with the 'cooperation' sense of "play ball".

engage in teamwork

Highlights the collaborative effort and cooperation, similar to working together or agreeing to "play ball".

cooperate

Focuses on the act of working together towards a common goal, similar to one meaning of "play ball".

agree to cooperate

Highlights the agreement to work together, similar to agreeing to "play ball" with someone.

join forces

Emphasizes the collaboration and teamwork, akin to the cooperative meaning of "play ball".

get started

Highlights the initiation of an activity, mirroring the 'begin a game' sense of "play ball".

participate willingly

Suggests an enthusiastic involvement, similar to the positive connotation of agreeing to "play ball".

let's begin

A general call to start something, comparable to using "play ball" to initiate an activity.

FAQs

What does the idiom "play ball" mean?

The idiom "play ball" has a few meanings. It can mean to start a baseball or softball game. Figuratively, it means to cooperate with someone or to agree to do what someone wants you to do.

How can I use "play ball" in a sentence?

You can use "play ball" to encourage starting a game, as in "Let's play ball!" or to express cooperation, such as "The company is willing to "work with" regulators, hoping they'll play ball."

What are some synonyms for "play ball" when it means 'to cooperate'?

When "play ball" means to cooperate, you can use alternatives like "collaborate", "cooperate", or "work together" depending on the context.

Is "play ball" appropriate for formal writing?

While "play ball" is a common idiom, it's generally better suited for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, consider using more direct and professional alternatives like "cooperate", "agree", or "participate".