# play hardball

> English word · Verb

## Definitions
1. To use every means possible to achieve a goal, especially in disregarding the harm caused.
2. To act rough and ruthless, especially in business or politics.

## 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 (i.e. softball).

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/play-hardball