hardball
[ hahrd-bawl ]
/ ˈhɑrdˌbɔl /
noun
baseball, as distinguished from softball.
adjective
tough or ruthless: He wasn't ready for the hardball politics of Washington.
outspoken, challenging, or difficult: Reporters asked the president some hardball questions.
Idioms for hardball
play hardball,
to act or work aggressively, competitively, or ruthlessly, as in business or politics.
Words nearby hardball
hard-wired,
hard-working,
hardanger,
hardback,
hardbake,
hardball,
hardboard,
hardbody,
hardboot,
hardbound,
hardcore
British Dictionary definitions for play hardball
hardball
/ (ˈhɑːdbɔːl) /
noun
US and Canadian
baseball as distinct from softball
play hardball informal, mainly US and Canadian
to act in a ruthless or uncompromising way
Idioms and Phrases with play hardball
play hardball
Act aggressively and ruthlessly, as in It's only a month before the election, and I'm sure they'll start to play hardball. This term originated in baseball, where it alludes to using the standard ball as opposed to the slightly larger and minimally softer ball of softball. It was transferred to describe aggressive behavior only in the 1970s.