He always plays the ball not the man when defending, which earns him respect from teammates.

After reviewing the clip, the referee concluded the defender played the ball not the man, so no foul was given.

By playing the ball not the man, she avoided a yellow card.

By playing the ball, not the man, she avoided a personal foul.

During the committee hearing, she was accused of playing the man and not the ball when she attacked her colleague's motives instead of critiquing the proposal.

If a defender plays the ball, not the man, the referee will not call a foul.

The children kept playing silly buggers in the garden until their parents called them inside.

He continued playing it close to the hip, revealing only vague hints about his plan.

When reporters ask about the new product, the head of R&D plays it close to the hip.

During the merger talks, our CEO played it close to the hip and revealed almost nothing to the press.