playing ball
Engaging in catch
Playing ball literally means engaging in a ball game, as when a parent asks a child Want to go outside and play ball?
More often, though, the phrase appears figuratively to mean cooperating with someone or going along with their plans.
If someone refuses to play ball, they won't participate or comply with what's being asked of them.
The witness wasn't playing ball, so the prosecutor had to change tactics.
Seize or snag
Team sport with hoops
- soccerField sport with goals
- baseballBat-and-ball team sport
- volleyballCourt game over net
- tennisRacquet sport over net
football · cricket · rugby · softball · lacrosse · hockey · badminton · handball
Moving by or temporary
- assistTo give support
- coordinationOrganized cooperative movement
- chemistryStudy of substances' interactions
- communicationExchanging ideas or information
camaraderie · unity · collaboration · support · interplay · cohesion · formation · playmaking
Multi-round competitive event
- championshipCompetition for top rank
- matchGame between opponents
- rivalryOngoing contest between opponents
- opponentOne who contends against
victory · defeat · score · contest · challenge · winning · losing · athlete
Playful, spirited activity
- frolicLighthearted playful movement
- chaseRapid following of quarry
- fetchGo get and return
- recessPause in activity
giggle · fun · laugh · horseplay · roughhouse · backyard · park · pickup game
Agreement through mutual sacrifice
- complianceAdhering to requirements
- agreeingSharing the same view
- going alongMoving with others
- working togetherActing in concert
accommodating · negotiating · flexibility · diplomacy · give-and-take · willingness · reciprocity
Methods to achieve goals
- playbookDocumented set of tactics
- offenseViolation or umbrage
- defenseProtection against harm
- positioningArranging in specific locations
drill · coach · maneuver · anticipation · execution · adjustment · counterplay · feint
catch
Seize or snag
kick · pass · shoot · toss · roll · pitch · bat · glove · hoop · net
basketball
Team sport with hoops
- soccerField sport with goals
- baseballBat-and-ball team sport
- volleyballCourt game over net
tennis · football · cricket · rugby · softball · lacrosse · hockey · badminton · handball · squash
passing
Moving by or temporary
- assistTo give support
- coordinationOrganized cooperative movement
- chemistryStudy of substances' interactions
communication · camaraderie · unity · collaboration · support · interplay · cohesion · formation · playmaking · setup
tournament
Multi-round competitive event
- championshipCompetition for top rank
- matchGame between opponents
- rivalryOngoing contest between opponents
opponent · victory · defeat · score · contest · challenge · winning · losing · athlete · duel
romp
Playful, spirited activity
recess · giggle · fun · laugh · horseplay · roughhouse · backyard · park · pickup game · messing around
compromise
Agreement through mutual sacrifice
- complianceAdhering to requirements
- agreeingSharing the same view
- going alongMoving with others
working together · accommodating · negotiating · flexibility · diplomacy · give-and-take · willingness · reciprocity
tactics
Methods to achieve goals
positioning · drill · coach · maneuver · anticipation · execution · adjustment · counterplay · feint · formation
- conformityconformity, conforming, conform, conformist, conformism
playing ballstonewalling
Deliberately refusing to respond
digging in one's heels · obstructing · resisting · holding out · pushing back
playing ballsitting out
Declining to participate
opting out · withdrawing · disengaging · boycotting · abstaining
play, ball, plays, played, player, players, playful, playfully, playfulness