to play hardball
1play hardball — If someone plays hardball, they are very aggressive in trying to achieve their aim …
2play hardball — phrase to use any methods to defeat someone, even unfair or dishonest ones Thesaurus: to compete, or to try to winsynonym Main entry: hardball …
3play hardball — play tough, try to hurt the opponent, play dirty If the manager wants to play hardball, show him that you are tough …
4play hardball (with someone) — tv. to act trong and aggressive about an issue with someone. □ Things are getting a little tough. The president has decided to play hardball on this issue. □ If he wants to play hardball with us, we can play that way, too …
5play hardball — verb a) To use every means possible to achieve a goal, especially in disregarding the harm caused. He was more than willing to extend the terms of the loan, but his boss decided to play hardball and demanded a balloon payment. b) To act rough and …
6play hardball — If someone plays hardball, they are very aggressive in trying to achieve their aim. (Dorking School Dictionary) …
7play hardball — informal uncompromising and ruthless behaviour. → hardball …
8play hardball — American & Australian to be so determined to get what you want, especially in business, that you use methods that are unfair or harm other people. The company is playing hardball with the bank, holding back on payments it owes them to force an… …
9Play hardball — If someone plays hardball, they are very agressive in trying to achieve their aim …
10play hardball (to) — Be demanding, difficult to negotiate with (baseball). ► “The problem is that the Republican controlled Senate is vowing to play hard ball over the FED vacancies. GOP lawmakers are all but demanding that Clinton reappoint Greenspan, a… …
