English Dictionary

play hardball

動詞

慣用表現

(idiomatic) To use every means possible to achieve a goal, especially in disregarding the harm caused. / (idiomatic) To act rough and ruthless, especially in politics or business.

日本語の意味

（イディオム）目的達成のために、あらゆる手段を講じる、特に他者に与える損害を顧みずに行動すること。 / （イディオム）政治やビジネスで、荒く容赦なく振る舞うこと。

After repeated delays, the union decided to play hardball with management to force a fair wage increase.

度重なる遅延の末、組合は公正な賃上げを勝ち取るために経営側に対して強硬手段に出ることを決めた。

意味（1）

(idiomatic) 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.

意味（2）

(idiomatic) To act rough and ruthless, especially in politics or business.

So you wanna play hardball?

plays hardball （ present singular third-person ）

playing hardball （ participle present ）

played hardball （ participle past ）

played hardball （ past ）