play hardball

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).

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play hardball (third-person singular simple present plays hardball, present participle playing hardball, simple past and past participle played hardball)

1. (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.

2. (idiomatic, informal) To act rough and ruthless, especially in business or politics.

   So you wanna play hardball?

   • 2021 October 6, Christian Wolmar, “Both sides must work together to get London back on track”, in RAIL, number 941, page 35:

     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.