play ball
play ball {v. phr.}
1. To begin play in a ball game.
When the umpire calls "Play ball," the game begins.
2. {informal}
To join in an effort with others; cooperate.
To get along during Prohibition, many men felt that they had to play ball with gangsters.
A is often good business to play ball with a political machine.
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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms