play ball

1. Cooperate, as in The opposing attorneys refused to play ball with us . [ Slang ; c. 1900]

2. Get going, start, as in It's time to get a move on; let's play ball . This usage comes from the baseball umpire's call to start a game. [ Slang ; late 1800s]

Example Sentences

In addition, because House Democrats were cut out of the negotiations over the bill, they don't feel any incentive to play ball.

From The Daily Beast

Then, she seemed to imply, maybe the Democrats would play ball.

From The Daily Beast

And they would probably think, as Norm Ornstein noted above, why should they play ball with 2016 coming?

From The Daily Beast

He needs to play ball—and if he does, the YouTube gods will probably smile on him.

From The Daily Beast

Still, the Obama administration signaled that it would play ball.

From The Daily Beast

It had rained in the morning, and of course the grounds were too slippery and wet to play ball.

From Project Gutenberg

"We must win through, and I guess I'll play ball with my father-in-law," quoth Pyne to himself as he followed.

From Project Gutenberg

I can't see what he finds to admire in Hodge, though the fellow can fight and play ball.

From Project Gutenberg

But it was not long before the children came; so, wanting an active hour, I began to play ball with them.

From Project Gutenberg

The Indian children play ball, and shoot arrows, and race with their ponies.

From Project Gutenberg