# hardball

/ˈhɑɹdˌbɔɫ/ (US) · /hˈɑːdbɔːl/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hardball
Updated: 2026-05-28

## Definition

a way of doing something that is very direct, tough, and not friendly. It is often used when talking about business or politics where people are not being nice.

For teachers: a style of behavior or negotiation characterized by a lack of compromise and a focus on winning at all costs. Often used in the phrase 'to play hardball' to describe aggressive tactics in business or politics.

## Examples

- The union decided to play hardball and stop working.
- After months of polite negotiations, the company finally started playing hardball by threatening to move the factory.
- While the initial talks were friendly, the moment the budget was mentioned, the committee members began playing hardball, refusing to budge on their core demands.

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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.