plays the ball and not the man

A form of play the ball and not the man — 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.

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Meanings

verb
  1. indicativepresentsingularthird personthird-person singular simple present indicative of play the ball and not the man
Cite this entry
APA

plays the ball and not the man. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/plays%20the%20ball%20and%20not%20the%20man

MLA

“plays the ball and not the man.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/plays%20the%20ball%20and%20not%20the%20man. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “plays the ball and not the man,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/plays%20the%20ball%20and%20not%20the%20man.

Source: plays the ball and not the man on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.