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Phrases related to: the ball is in someone's court Page #23

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Play Second FiddleTo be subservient to someone, to follow someone or somethingRate it:

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play second fiddleTo play a subsidiary or subordinate role to someone or something else.Rate it:

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play someone like a fiddleSkilfully.Rate it:

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play the anglesIn a game which involves control of a moving object, such as a ball or puck, to allow for angular movements of the object caused by bounces, rebounds, ricochets, etc. or to carefully guard the corners of the goal, net, or other scoring target.Rate it:

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play the anglesIn a game which involves control of a moving object, such as a ball or puck, to seek scoring opportunities by advancing on or shooting at the scoring target in an angular manner across the field of play.Rate it:

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play the ball and not the manTo 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.Rate it:

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play the ball and not the manTo 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.Rate it:

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play the man and not the ballTo attack an opponent instead of attacking the ball, which is usually being controlled by the attacked player at the time.Rate it:

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play the man and not the ballTo object to someone's argument by attacking them or a facet of their personality instead of the argument itself; to make an ad hominem attack.Rate it:

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point outTo tell, remind, indicate to someone.Rate it:

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poison the wellTo discredit something or someone usually by presenting negative or irrelevant information; to cast aspersionsRate it:

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poke someone's eye outTo damage or harm someone's eye to the point that it can no longer see.Rate it:

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pop a cap in someone's assTo shoot someone with a gun.Rate it:

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pop offTo kill someone.Rate it:

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pop someone's cherryTo deflower someone.Rate it:

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post no billsA Printed/Scripted sign; addressed to the Public to wit; "Do Not Post nor Affix"; any Bills, Notices, Wanted Posters, Advertising, Missing persons, Court Notices, Auction Bills et al on/upon this site, wall, post, b'ldg., Private PropertyRate it:

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pot calling the kettle blackA situation in which somebody comments on or accuses someone else of a fault which the accuser has or shares.Rate it:

(4.00 / 1 vote)
pound of fleshSomething which is owed and which will be hurtful or difficult to provide; a debt owed to someone who is merciless and demanding.Rate it:

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pour honey in one's earTell someone something that they want to hear.Rate it:

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pour honey into one's earTell someone something that they want to hear.Rate it:

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pour oil on troubled watersTo calm something or someone who is tenacious or misbehaving.Rate it:

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Pour Oil on Troubled WatersTo calm down the tense situation, to sooth someone in anger or tensionRate it:

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power behind the throneSomeone who appears to be without special status, but who has great covert influence on a person in authority.Rate it:

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press into serviceTo make someone perform a task or duty, especially one they are not prepared or willing to do; to make something serve a function, especially one it was not designed or intended for.Rate it:

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price on one's headA compensation for capturing or killing a person, especially someone guilty of a crime.Rate it:

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private eyeA private personal detective, employed to gather information about someone.Rate it:

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problem childSomeone or something persistently difficult or vexing; a frequent source of trouble or annoyance.Rate it:

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propose a toastAn introductory phrase, preceding a brief accolade to someone or something, after which all present ceremonially sip their champagne (or dump their beverage on the floor to express disagreement.)Rate it:

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psychological warfareThe use of various techniques to demoralize or intimidate someone.Rate it:

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pull backTo pass (the ball) into a position further from the attacking goal line.Rate it:

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pull somebody's legTo tease someone; to lead someone on; to goad someone into overreacting. It usually implies teasing or goading by jokingly lying.Rate it:

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pull someone down a pegTo lower someone's high self-opinion.Rate it:

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pull someone's bacon out of the fireTo rescue someone, especially at the last moment.Rate it:

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pull someone's legTo tease someone; to lead someone on; to goad someone into overreacting. It usually implies teasing or goading by jokingly lying.Rate it:

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pull the rug out from under someoneTo suddenly remove support from someone.Rate it:

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Pull the Rug out from Under YouTo ruin someone’s dreams, hopes or plans, to suddenly withdraw supportRate it:

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pull the wool over someone's eyesTo deceive (someone).Rate it:

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Pull the Wool over Your EyesTo play trick with someone making him or her fool, to deceive or cheat someoneRate it:

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Pull Your LegTo tease someone by making fun of him or her.Rate it:

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pump someone's tiresTo praise, encourage, or vigorously support someone.Rate it:

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punch someone's lights outTo give someone a serious beating using one's fists; to punch someone until he or she is unconscious.Rate it:

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pure finderSomeone who collected dog faeces for sale to tanneries (which used it as a siccative for bookbinding leather). Undertaken by old women in Britain in the 18th century. (Reference: Robert Hughes, The Fatal Shore, 1987, paperback 1996 ISBN 1-86046-150-6 chapter 1 page 21.)Rate it:

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push someone's buttonsTo do specific things to anger someone (less commonly, sexually arouse or otherwise elicit a strong reaction), especially intentionally or maliciously.Rate it:

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put a gun to someone's headTo compel someone; to create a situation in which someone has no alternative course of action.Rate it:

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put awayTo catch a fly ball or tag out a baserunner.Rate it:

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put awayTo send someone to prison.Rate it:

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put downTo drop someone off, or let them out of a vehicle.Rate it:

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put down asto assume someone has a particular character from very little information.Rate it:

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put down forTo record that someone has offered to help, or contribute something.Rate it:

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put foot to assTo beat the shit out of someone or something; whoop assRate it:

(4.00 / 1 vote)

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