blackball
/ˈblækˌbɔl/
noun
- A negative vote, especially one that prevents someone from joining a group or club.
- The club's rules required only one blackball to reject a candidate.
- He received a single blackball during the membership vote.
- She was surprised when her application got a blackball from a longtime member.
verb
- To vote against someone or prevent them from joining a group, club, or organization.
- She was blackballed from the social club after the disagreement.
- The committee decided to blackball the applicant because of his past behavior.
- They tried to blackball him, but the other members voted in his favor.
- To exclude or ostracize someone from a group or activity.
- After the scandal, the industry blackballed the actor, and he couldn't find work.
- Some communities blackball people who speak out against local leaders.
- The team blackballed the player for breaking the rules during practice.