hardball

[hahrd-bawl]

noun

1. baseball, as distinguished from softball.

adjective

1. tough or ruthless.

   He wasn't ready for the hardball politics of Washington.

2. outspoken, challenging, or difficult.

   Reporters asked the president some hardball questions.

hardball

/ ˈhɑːdbɔːl /

noun

1. baseball as distinct from softball

2. informal,  to act in a ruthless or uncompromising way

Word History and Origins

Origin of hardball¹

First recorded in 1825–35; hard + ball ¹

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. play hardball, to act or work aggressively, competitively, or ruthlessly, as in business or politics.

Example Sentences

Bessent also joined in, saying US media reports that China was playing hardball and was prepared to use financial markets to hurt the US was like "taking dictation" from the Chinese communist party.

Read more on BBC

The media and the legal community deserves some blame: By disguising hardball politics as constitutional theory, Roberts capitalized on longstanding deferential traditions and incentives within media court-watchers and academics.

Read more on Salon

Beijing continued playing hardball this week, escalating the trade fight Monday by sanctioning the U.S. units of South Korean shipping company Hanwha Ocean.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The Dodgers easily swept the best-of-three duel with the overmatched Reds on Wednesday at Dodger Stadium with a frolicking 8-4 victory … just in time to uneasily hike into the home of heated hardball.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The council said the restriction only referred to adult hardball cricket and argued the decision was based on "advice received from professional and legal advisors".

Read more on BBC