play hardball en · VERB
Pronunciation
- (Australia) audio
Etymology
From the American sport of baseball; the hardball is the heavier and harder type of the two types of throwing ball used when playing that sport (i.e. softball).
Meanings
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(idiomatic, informal) To use every means possible to achieve a goal, especially in disregarding the harm caused.
He was more than willing to extend the terms of the loan, but his boss decided to play hardball and demanded a balloon payment.
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(idiomatic, informal) To act rough and ruthless, especially in business or politics.
So you wanna play hardball?
But if ministers keep on playing hardball with TfL because of narrow party interests, London will lose out. Forcing a 4.8% rise on London fares will only encourage congestion at a time when the roads are already full and public transport is underused.
2021 October 6, Christian Wolmar, “Both sides must work together to get London back on track”, in RAIL, number 941, page 35:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| played hardball | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| played hardball | Tense=Past | lexicographic | |
| playing hardball | Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| plays hardball | Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres | lexicographic |
Translations (4)
pl pójść po trupach (Translations) · sv sätta hårt mot hårt (Translations) · es jugar duro (Translations) · pl iść po trupach (Translations)