Dictionary
hard•ball
Pronunciation: (härd'bôl"), [key]—
n.
1. baseball, as distinguished from softball.
2. play hardball, to act or work aggressively, competitively, or ruthlessly, as in business or politics.
—
adj.
1. tough or ruthless:
He wasn't ready for the hardball politics of Washington.
2. outspoken, challenging, or difficult:
Reporters asked the president some hardball questions. Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.