hardball

hard +‎ ball

hardball (countable and uncountable, plural hardballs)

1. (ball games) In baseball, a type of ball and baseball game, as opposed to softball.
2. Tough or ruthless behavior, especially in combat, politics or business.

hardball (comparative more hardball, superlative most hardball)

1. Being or exhibiting tough or ruthless behavior, especially in combat, politics or business.

• play hardball

hardball (third-person singular simple present hardballs, present participle hardballing, simple past and past participle hardballed)

1. (transitive) To exhibit tough and ruthless behavior towards.