PhrasesHub

ball game

    Definitions

      • a different situation or set of circumstances
        Referring to a situation that is different from the current one, often used to emphasize the contrast between two scenarios

      • a different level of competition
        Referring to a higher level of competition or challenge, often used in sports or business contexts

    Examples of ball game

    • The seller seemed unwilling to lower the price, but we kept playing ball until we finally came to a compromise.

      To "play ball" is to cooperate or negotiate in a business or political situation, much like how players collaborate in a game of baseball to achieve a common goal.Example 2: (Trying to cheer a friend up after a tough day)

    • I know you're feeling down, but let's go out and play some ball tonight. It might help take your mind off things.

      To "play ball" is also used to mean to engage in a fun or recreational activity, like playing a sport, in order to take a break from more serious or stressful situations.Example 3: (Trying to persuade someone to take action)

    • If we don't act fast, our opponents will take the lead. It's time to step up to the plate and play some ball.

      To "step up to the plate" is a baseball term that means to take a leadership role and be ready to face a challenge. In this context, it means being prepared to take action and make a difference.Example 4: (Describing a complex or competitive situation)

    • As soon as the ball was thrown, the game was on. We had to strategize and work as a team to come out on top.

      To "come out on top" is a term often used in sports or other competitive situations where the goal is to win or succeed. It refers to emerging better off or more victorious than the opposition.

    • She's really good at this, it's like she's playing a ball game with ease.

      This idiom is used to describe someone's exceptional skill or talent in a particular activity as effortless and smooth as playing a ball game with ease. It implies that the person is confident, focused, and has complete control over the task at hand.

    • I'm feeling a bit lost here, it's like I'm in the middle of a ball game and I've forgotten the rules.

      Here, the idiom is used to describe a situation where a person feels confused or unsure of how to proceed, just as someone might feel lost in a ball game if they have forgotten the rules.

    • The meeting was a real ball game today, with everyone trying to score points and win the game.

      In this example, "ball game" is used figuratively to describe a meeting or any other kind of discussion or negotiation, where there is a lot of competition, negotiation, and persuasion involved.

    • After many months, the contract is finally signed. It's been a long and challenging ball game, but we've done it!

      This example uses the idiom to describe a long and difficult negotiation process, where the outcome is uncertain for a long time, just as a ball game might go on for several innings or quarters before the final outcome is decided.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "ball game" can be used to refer to a different situation or set of circumstances, highlighting the contrast between two scenarios. It can also indicate a different level of competition, often in sports or business contexts.

    In everyday conversations, people might use "ball game" to emphasize that a situation is completely different from what was previously mentioned, or to highlight a higher level of competition or challenge. It can be a colorful way to express a change in circumstances or a shift in the level of difficulty.

    Overall, "ball game" is a versatile idiom that can be used in various contexts to convey a sense of contrast or heightened competition.

    Origin of "ball game"

    The origin of the idiom "ball game" can be traced back to its literal meaning in sports. In various ball games such as baseball, basketball, or football, the term "ball game" is often used to refer to the actual game or match being played.

    Over time, the idiom has been adopted in figurative language to represent a different situation or level of competition. It is likely that the use of "ball game" in this sense originated from the competitive and dynamic nature of sports, where the term is commonly used to describe a shift in momentum or a change in the game's dynamics.

    As with many idioms, the exact origin of "ball game" as a figurative expression is not definitively documented. However, its association with sports and competition suggests that it emerged from the world of athletics and gradually evolved into a widely recognized idiom in the English language. Examples of its usage can be found in literature, media, and everyday conversations, reflecting its enduring relevance in modern communication.