Phrases.com »

Phrases related to: play the ball and not the man Page #2

Yee yee! We've found 5,495 phrases and idioms matching play the ball and not the man.

Sort:RelevancyA - Z
black ballStall, close ranks, make it impossible to make a break throughRate it:

(4.00 / 3 votes)
Carry the BallTo ensure the completion of task/job perfectlyRate it:

(3.00 / 1 vote)
drop the ballTo fail in one's responsibilities or duties, or to make a mistake, especially at a critical point or when the result is very negative.Rate it:

(3.00 / 1 vote)
keep one's eye on the ballMy ethos has always been to be very straight with people, tell it as it is. It doesn't often make people happy but I found that over a period of time it's better to be that way. So being straight, also being very focused on your objectives, keep your eye on the ball and not get deflected away from it.Rate it:

(1.50 / 2 votes)
On the BallWell informed, alert, attentive, aware, competentRate it:

(1.50 / 2 votes)
behind the eight ballAt a disadvantage.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
Behind the Eight BallGetting into trouble or difficult situation due to bad luck, a situation through which, one might not get out easilyRate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
behind the eight-ballIn a difficult situation or tight spot.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
"before kicking the ball into the goal, think like a goalkeeper."GoalkeeperRate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
bald as a billiard ballOne whom has lost much hair and prematurely bald.Rate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
ball hogA player who keeps the ball to themselves, rather than passing itRate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
ball of fireA person who is especially hard-working, high-achieving, ambitious, or active.Rate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
ball outMisspelling of bawl out.Rate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
ball-breakerA person or task which is excessively demanding or punishing.Rate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
have a ballTo enjoy thoroughly; to have lots of fun or excitement.Rate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
head-the-balla stupid person; a nutcaseRate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
keep the ball rollingTo continue an action indicated in the context; to sustain a process.Rate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
keep your eye on the ballRemain Focused, Determined, AlertRate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
on the ballBeing in control of the ball.Rate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
on the ballAlert, active, or attentive; on top of things.Rate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
take one's eye off the ballTo lose one's concentration on what is most important.Rate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
That's the Way the Ball BouncesThat’s what life really is or that’s what the life is all about; fate; you may not be able to change certain things in your lifeRate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
that's the way the ball bouncesThat is the way things happenRate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
thats the way the ball bouncesthe realization in life that one can expect occurrences which are as unpredictable as the manner in which a thrown ball bouncesRate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
the ball is in someone's courtIt is someone's turn to do something; often making a decision.Rate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
whole ball of waxEverything of a similar or related nature; everything necessary for a particular purpose.Rate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
let's not and say we didIndicates that the speaker does not agree with a proposed action and does not wish to participate; often said as a joke--sometimes as an expression that the speaker doesn't want to do the proposed action or to indicate that they are happy doing what they are doing and don't want to change that by doing the proposed actionRate it:

(4.00 / 1 vote)
"life should be a celebration and not a competition."LifeRate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
children should be seen and not heardChildren should behave well and be quiet, especially in the presence of adults.Rate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
life is not all beer and skittlesNot everything about life is pleasurable.Rate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
life's not all skittles and beerSkittles and Beer refers to the carefree, indulgent bar life; skittles being a British pub game. Thus, life's not all skittles and beer means that not everything is about pleasure.Rate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
the silence of a lion is not that he is a fool but for determination and accuracy.To concentrate before making a job - isn't a weakness. As Lions, whom are fierce predators that often stalk their prey before attacking. Their attacks cause prey to panic and disperse, allowing the lions to isolate and attack a weaker or slower individual.Rate it:

(0.00 / 0 votes)
play downTo make or attempt to make something seem less important, likely, or obvious.Rate it:

(5.00 / 5 votes)
play it by earTo do something by guessing, intuition, or trial and error; to react to events as they occur.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
play the giddy goatto behave wildly, irresponsibly.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
play upTo make or attempt to make something appear more important, likely or obvious; to showcase or highlight.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
play with house moneyTo act as if or be in a situation that, no matter the outcome, there is virtually no significant downside or risk; commonly used to refer to using already won funds (gambled money, casino winnings, etc.) to finance an endeavor (or continue to gamble) such that there is no real, perceivable or potential lossRate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
When the Cat's Away, the Mice will PlayWithout the presence of authority, people will do as they please even of breaking the rulesRate it:

(5.00 / 2 votes)
you can't win if you don't playUnless or until you don't play , you cannot win .Rate it:

(5.00 / 2 votes)
play aroundTo behave in a silly, or childish, or irresponsible way.Rate it:

(4.00 / 8 votes)
play it coolto act coolRate it:

(4.00 / 1 vote)
turn about is fair playMy business partner came up to Me the week before Halloween to notify that he was leaving for two weeks in Florida 'cause is wife was tired.Rate it:

(4.00 / 1 vote)
play upTo misbehave.Rate it:

(3.80 / 5 votes)
child's playSomething particularly simple or easy.Rate it:

(3.00 / 1 vote)
play one's cards rightTo act sensibly; to make the right moves.Rate it:

(3.00 / 1 vote)
play alongTo take part in a charade, deception, or practical joke.Rate it:

(2.00 / 2 votes)
play aroundTo work with in a non-serious manner.Rate it:

(2.00 / 1 vote)
play aroundTo engage in sexual practices outside of marriage.Rate it:

(2.00 / 1 vote)
play by earTo play guided by one's memory of the sound, rather than from a written score.Rate it:

(2.00 / 1 vote)
play to winTo make a special, determined effort to achieve general success or a particular goal, in life, in one's career, in negotiation, etc.Rate it:

(2.00 / 1 vote)

We need you!

Help us build the largest human-edited phrases collection on the web!

Alternative searches for play the ball and not the man:

Quiz

Are you a phrases master?

»
Gosh you have more lives than a black _____.
A horse
B dog
C cat
D suit

Browse Phrases.com