Play hardball.
/pleɪ ˈhɑrdˌbɔl/

Play hardball.
/pleɪ ˈhɑrdˌbɔl/
Play hardball" is an idiom derived from the sport of baseball, suggesting a style of play that is aggressive and uncompromising. In business or politics, playing hardball means dealing with matters in a very determined and even ruthless manner. Understanding when and how to play hardball can be crucial in negotiations where high stakes are involved. This idiom helps describe scenarios where only the toughest measures will lead to success, emphasizing the importance of assertiveness and strategic planning in achieving one's goals.
When it comes to negotiations, Mike always plays hardball to get the best deal.
In this scenario, Mike uses aggressive and uncompromising tactics during negotiations in order to achieve the most favorable outcomes.
She decided to play hardball with the vendors to lower the prices.
Here, the person is taking a firm and assertive stance with vendors to force a reduction in costs.
In the corporate world, if you don’t play hardball, you might find yourself at a disadvantage during major deals.
This outlines a situation where being aggressive and uncompromising in business negotiations is necessary to avoid losing ground in important transactions.
'You can't take it with you' is a poignant reminder that material wealth and possessions cannot be taken into the afterlife. This phrase is often used to suggest prioriti⋯ Read the full article
'Wash one's hands of' is a phrase derived from the historical act of Pilate in the biblical times, symbolizing the abandonment of responsibility or distancing oneself fro⋯ Read the full article
'Vying for' captures the essence of competing eagerly for something, whether it be a position, award, or recognition. This idiom reflects the vigorous efforts and strateg⋯ Read the full article
'Put your foot in it' means to unintentionally say something that is awkward, inappropriate, or embarrassing, often causing discomfort or making a situation more complica⋯ Read the full article
'Last laugh' refers to the satisfaction of ultimately triumphing or succeeding after previous setbacks or when others have doubted success. It involves turning tables on ⋯ Read the full article
'A penny for your thoughts' is an inviting way to ask someone to share what they are thinking about. This phrase originates from a time when a penny had significant value⋯ Read the full article
'Up to scratch' describes a condition of meeting the expected standards or being adequate for the purpose. Originally from the sporting world where a scratch line marked ⋯ Read the full article
'Pick your battles' is a pragmatic piece of advice suggesting one should carefully choose which conflicts to engage in and which to avoid. The idiom emphasizes the import⋯ Read the full article
'Off one’s rocker' is an informal way to say that someone is behaving in a crazy, absurd, or irrational manner. It evokes the image of an unstable rocking chair, suggesti⋯ Read the full article
'Mum’s the word' is a phrase used to indicate that one should keep quiet, remain secretive about the given topic, or not reveal any pertinent information. It is a lighthe⋯ Read the full article
'If the shoe fits' is a pithy way to suggest that if a description applies to a person, they should accept it, often used when the characteristics or accusations are fitt⋯ Read the full article
'For kicks' is a light-hearted expression used to explain actions taken purely for amusement or entertainment. It suggests that the activities are not serious and are don⋯ Read the full article
'Do or die' is a phrase used to express a critical or decisive moment where one must commit fully to achieve success or face failure. It evokes a sense of urgency and det⋯ Read the full article
'Under the sun' is a classic phrase meant to denote everything that exists or all possible subjects under the sun. This hyperbolic expression highlights the vastness or m⋯ Read the full article
When someone is described as 'Rough around the edges', it means they have certain flaws or lack refinement, but these imperfections can be endearing or can indicate poten⋯ Read the full article