B2 noun Neutral

blackball

/ˈblæk.bɔːl/

A negative vote cast against a candidate for admission to a club or organization, which prevents their membership. It also refers more broadly to the act of ostracizing or excluding someone from a social circle or group through a collective decision.

Ejemplos

3 de 5
1

He was worried that one old member might cast a blackball against his application to the golf club.

He was worried that one old member might cast a blackball against his application to the golf club.

2

According to the bylaws, a single blackball is sufficient to reject any prospective member.

According to the bylaws, a single blackball is sufficient to reject any prospective member.

3

He's been getting the blackball from the local music scene ever since that scandal.

He's been getting the blackball from the local music scene ever since that scandal.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivo
blackball
Verb
blackball
Adjetivo
blackballed
Relacionado
blackballing
💡

Truco para recordar

Imagine a ballot box where everyone drops a white ball to say 'Yes,' but a single 'Black Ball' is heavy enough to sink the whole application.

Quiz rápido

The candidate was devastated when a single member decided to cast a ______ against her membership, effectively barring her from the society.

¡Correcto!

La respuesta correcta es: blackball

Ejemplos

1

He was worried that one old member might cast a blackball against his application to the golf club.

everyday

He was worried that one old member might cast a blackball against his application to the golf club.

2

According to the bylaws, a single blackball is sufficient to reject any prospective member.

formal

According to the bylaws, a single blackball is sufficient to reject any prospective member.

3

He's been getting the blackball from the local music scene ever since that scandal.

informal

He's been getting the blackball from the local music scene ever since that scandal.

4

Sociological studies of 19th-century gentlemen's clubs highlight the power of the blackball in maintaining social hierarchies.

academic

Sociological studies of 19th-century gentlemen's clubs highlight the power of the blackball in maintaining social hierarchies.

5

The executive's blackball ensured that the controversial proposal never reached the board of directors.

business

The executive's blackball ensured that the controversial proposal never reached the board of directors.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivo
blackball
Verb
blackball
Adjetivo
blackballed
Relacionado
blackballing

Colocaciones comunes

cast a blackball cast a blackball
receive a blackball receive a blackball
unanimous blackball unanimous blackball
the power of the blackball the power of the blackball
fear the blackball fear the blackball

Frases Comunes

to cast a blackball

to cast a blackball

blackball rule

blackball rule

give someone the blackball

give someone the blackball

Se confunde a menudo con

blackball vs blacklist

A blacklist is a list of people/entities to be avoided; a blackball is the specific act or vote of rejection from a group.

blackball vs blackmail

Blackmail involves demanding money or favors in exchange for keeping secrets, unrelated to voting or exclusion.

📝

Notas de uso

While originally referring to a physical ball used in secret voting, it is now often used metaphorically for any act of social or professional exclusion. It is most commonly seen in contexts involving elite clubs, professional organizations, or historical fiction.

⚠️

Errores comunes

Learners often use 'blackball' as a synonym for 'bullying.' While they are related, blackballing is a specific form of exclusion from a group membership rather than general harassment.

💡

Truco para recordar

Imagine a ballot box where everyone drops a white ball to say 'Yes,' but a single 'Black Ball' is heavy enough to sink the whole application.

📖

Origen de la palabra

Derived from the 18th-century practice in private clubs where members voted on applicants using white balls for approval and black balls for rejection.

Patrones gramaticales

Countable noun Regular plural: blackballs Can function as a transitive verb
🌍

Contexto cultural

The term is deeply rooted in the history of British and American 'Gentlemen's Clubs' where high social standing was required for entry.

Quiz rápido

The candidate was devastated when a single member decided to cast a ______ against her membership, effectively barring her from the society.

¡Correcto!

La respuesta correcta es: blackball

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