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play hardball

Idioms

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.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

So, with the deal expected to close in the fall, county officials decided to play hardball.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 31, 2026

“It’s not about whether we play hardball anymore. It’s about how we play hardball,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said on a press call Wednesday.

From Salon • Aug. 20, 2025

He still has two years left on his rookie deal, but the Vikings would be unwise to play hardball with the reigning Associated Press NFL Offensive Player of the Year award winner.

From Washington Times • Sep. 1, 2023

My husband wants to play hardball and just go the traditional way and pay for the reception dinner.

From Slate • Aug. 14, 2023

She didn’t want to have to play hardball, but here goes.

From "A Heart in a Body in the World" by Deb Caletti

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023