play hard ball
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He said with any other product, supermarkets would "play hard ball on margins" with suppliers.
From BBC • Nov. 13, 2024
She said the record level of borrowing would only become a problem "if our creditors started wanting to play hard ball or if we were in a situation where we had higher interest rates".
From BBC • Dec. 2, 2020
However, when they hear that the president has only agreed to a 15-minute meeting, they decide to play hard ball and cancel, demanding to be taken more seriously.
From Slate • May 27, 2020
In the halls there was some debate about whether or when to play hard ball over requirements that apps be accessible.
From Reuters • Jul. 9, 2014
He may have consented to the wiretaps partly to ingratiate himself, to prove that he could play hard ball too.
From Time Magazine Archive
