Blackball
verb
To reject or exclude someone from a group or community, typically done in a secret way.
The club decided to blackball the potential member due to his controversial views.
Often appears as...
- blackball from membership
- blackball a nominee
Usage tips
Colloquial
noun
A negative vote or veto where a member of a group votes against accepting a candidate.
Even though most of the members approved of his membership, one blackball was enough to reject him.
Often appears as...
- cast a blackball
- give a blackball
verb
To reject or exclude someone from a group or community, typically done in a secret way.
The club decided to blackball the potential member due to his controversial views.
Often appears as...
- blackball from membership
- blackball a nominee
Usage tips
Colloquial
noun
A negative vote or veto where a member of a group votes against accepting a candidate.
Even though most of the members approved of his membership, one blackball was enough to reject him.
Often appears as...
- cast a blackball
- give a blackball
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Secret Exclusion
Used to describe the act of rejecting someone in a secretive and often unfair way.
She felt they would blackball her from the club without giving a reason.
Pro Tip 2/3Social Context
Often used regarding social groups, organizations, or communities, rather than formal settings.
The local gamers' guild might blackball someone who cheats.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Connotation
Implies a negative judgment and exclusion based on personal opinions or biases.
His political statements led the board to blackball him.
Pro Tip 1/3Secret Exclusion
Used to describe the act of rejecting someone in a secretive and often unfair way.
She felt they would blackball her from the club without giving a reason.
Pro Tip 2/3Social Context
Often used regarding social groups, organizations, or communities, rather than formal settings.
The local gamers' guild might blackball someone who cheats.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Connotation
Implies a negative judgment and exclusion based on personal opinions or biases.
His political statements led the board to blackball him.
Pro Tip 1/3Secret Exclusion
Used to describe the act of rejecting someone in a secretive and often unfair way.
She felt they would blackball her from the club without giving a reason.
Pro Tip 2/3Social Context
Often used regarding social groups, organizations, or communities, rather than formal settings.
The local gamers' guild might blackball someone who cheats.
Pro Tip 3/3Negative Connotation
Implies a negative judgment and exclusion based on personal opinions or biases.
His political statements led the board to blackball him.
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Quote examples
Dana White
American Businessman
I don't dislike Matt Lindland. I didn't blackball him from the UFC, either. Matt Lindland is a good guy and I've never had a personal issue with him.
Quote examples
Dana White
American Businessman
I don't dislike Matt Lindland. I didn't blackball him from the UFC, either. Matt Lindland is a good guy and I've never had a personal issue with him.
Example 1 of 1
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