hardball
pronunciation
How to pronounce hardball in British English:
UK [ˈhɑ:dbɔ:l]
How to pronounce hardball in American English:
US [ˈhɑrdbɔl]
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- Noun:
- a no-nonsense attitude in business or politics
- baseball as distinguished from softball
Word Origin
- hardball (n.)
- 1883 as the name of a game, from hard (adj.) + ball (n.1). The figurative sense of "tough, uncompromising behavior" is from 1973.
Example
- 1. But this kind of hardball gets results .
- 2. But when messes get out of hand , hardball tactics may be needed .
- 3. These threats were seen as hardball negotiating tactics by the kremlin which has been vying for control in all large energy projects .
- 4. He relishes political hardball - as he did helping mr bush during the 2000 election recount in florida - as well as the technical aspects of disputes .
- 5. I 'm gonna play hardball with witness protection .