How to pronounce “play the ball and not the man”

Meaning

• [Verb]
• (sports) To attack the ball instead of an opponent who is usually controlling the ball. Often considered a positive action, and sometimes a requirement not to concede a penalty.
• (by extension, idiomatic, colloquial) To object to someone's argument by attacking the argument itself instead of them or a facet of their personality; to avoid or make the opposite of an ad hominem attack. Usually considered a positive action, and an avoidance of a fallacious argumentative technique. Often used in comparison to play the man and not the ball.

Practice Nearby Words

play the ball, not the man, play the ball not the man, play the ball, play the man and not the ball, play the man not the ball, play the man, not the ball, play the man, play the advantage, mark, play the angles, defend, play on, attack, deflect, bat away, turn, tackle, play in, pull back, clear, play, park the bus, tool, intercept, put away, bat out, chip, field, clear one's lines, chest down, get open, cherry-pick, play through, pass, finesse, find, go to bat, advance the ball, carry, handle, take a pitch, receive, get up, call balls and strikes, save, play catch-up, back up, man up, check, out-play, nutmeg, play ball, underplay, work the refs, moonball, sag off, peg back, ball, retrieve, assist, take a knee, balk, no ball, point-shave, pick, ride, punt, pitch out, sin bin, pick up, cover, snipe, off drive, outexecute, handball, go long, smother, hide the ball, play full, charge, address the ball, pick and pass, play to win, push bunt, overpitch, one-time, knock the ball out of the park, solo, run up the score, take, pick off, shag, freeball, face, cheat the pocket, block, tuck in, lay back, shepherd, kick into touch

Similar Sounds

pliability, possibility, playland, breathability, bite the bullet, block island, slumberland, sliding window, solubility, solomon islands