Blackball – to vote against allowing someone to be a member of an organisation

(Pronounced blak-bawl)

To remember the definition of the word blackball, use the following mnemonic:

I blacked out his name on the ball's (blackball) guest list after we voted against allowing him to be a member of our club.

Examples of blackball in a sentence

The owners of the club always blackball their rivals. 

I will blackball him if he tries to join our club.

New members had to be approved, and existing members could blackball candidates.