Hardball: meaning, definitions and examples
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hardball
[ ˈhɑːdbɔːl ]
play
A tough or uncompromising attitude or approach in a situation.
Synonyms
aggressive tactics, tough approach, uncompromising attitude.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
---|---|
hardball |
Typically used in business or political negotiations where one party takes a firm and often ruthless stance to achieve their goals.
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tough approach |
Generally used in situations where a firm, strict, or unyielding method is employed, often to handle difficult circumstances or enforce discipline.
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uncompromising attitude |
Describes a stance where a person or group shows no willingness to change their opinion or agree to less than what they want, often seen negatively in collaborative settings.
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aggressive tactics |
Used in a variety of contexts, including sports, business, or conflict, where someone employs forceful and often bold actions to achieve a goal.
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Examples of usage
- He played hardball in the negotiation, refusing to make any concessions.
- The manager's hardball tactics alienated many of his employees.
- The company's hardball stance on pricing led to a loss of customers.
- The politician's reputation for playing hardball earned him respect but also criticism.
- She decided to play hardball with her competitors to maintain market dominance.
Translations
Translations of the word "hardball" in other languages:
🇵🇹 jogo duro
🇮🇳 कठोर खेल
🇩🇪 hartes Spiel
🇮🇩 permainan keras
🇺🇦 жорстка гра
🇵🇱 twarda gra
🇯🇵 ハードボール
🇫🇷 jeu dur
🇪🇸 juego duro
🇹🇷 sert oyun
🇰🇷 하드볼
🇸🇦 اللعبة الصعبة
🇨🇿 tvrdá hra
🇸🇰 tvrdá hra
🇨🇳 硬球
🇸🇮 trda igra
🇮🇸 hörð leikur
🇰🇿 қатты ойын
🇬🇪 მძიმე თამაში
🇦🇿 sərt oyun
🇲🇽 juego duro
Etymology
The term 'hardball' originated in baseball, where it refers to the style of play characterized by aggressive and competitive tactics. The metaphorical use of 'hardball' to describe a tough or uncompromising attitude or approach in various situations emerged in the mid-20th century, reflecting the intensity and assertiveness associated with the sport. Over time, 'hardball' has become a common expression in business, politics, and other areas to describe a no-nonsense and competitive approach.
See also: hard, harden, hardening, harder, hardliner, hardly, hardness, hardship, hardships, hardware, hardy.
Word Frequency Rank
Ranking #36,765, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.
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- 36767 denationalization
- 36768 cosily
- ...