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play hardball

To act rough and ruthless, especially in politics or business.

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.
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So you wanna play hardball?.

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Submitted on September 01, 2009

Additional definitions for 'play hardball':

play hardballTo use every means possible to achieve a goal, especially in disregarding the harm caused.
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Nearby phrases

Some more phrases from our dictionary similar to play hardball

play it by earPlay it by Earplay it safeplay hookeyplay dumbplay for loveplay by earplay downplay it straightplay first fiddleplay it coolplay dumbplay inplay gooseberry

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