C1idiominformalbusinessIELTS-friendly
play hardball
USUK
to act in a tough, determined way to get what you want, especially in a negotiation
From American baseball. Often 'play hardball with someone'. It suggests being ruthless, but not breaking the law.
In context
The supplier played hardball and refused to lower the price by even one percent.
If you play hardball with your landlord, he may not renew your lease.
More idioms about business
- a ballpark figurea rough number that is close to the real amount
- a big playera powerful and important person or company in a field
- a bottlenecka point where progress slows because too much has to pass through it
- a deal breakera fact or condition that makes you refuse to accept an agreement
- a dog-eat-dog worlda situation where people compete hard and will harm others to succeed