# play hardball

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/play-hardball
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To use every means possible to achieve a goal, especially in disregarding the harm caused.

## Examples

- The company is playing hardball to win the contract.
- You need to play hardball if you want a better price for that car.
- When the negotiations stalled, the manager decided to play hardball and threatened to cancel the entire project.
- The landlord is playing hardball by demanding the full rent immediately and refusing to fix the broken heater until he gets paid.
- After the neighbors complained about the fence, the homeowner decided to play hardball and called the city to report their illegal garage.
- By refusing to compromise on any of the terms, the union leaders signaled their intent to play hardball throughout the duration of the labor dispute.

## Origin

Derived from the American sport of baseball, the term distinguishes the heavier and harder ball from its softer, lighter counterpart, the softball. The harder ball allows for a faster, more aggressive style of play, and the phrase passed into general use to describe a similarly uncompromising approach to negotiation or competition.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.