How Do You Spell HARD BALL?

Pronunciation: [hˈɑːd bˈɔːl] (IPA)

The spelling of the phrase "hard ball" indicates that it is pronounced with a d sound, despite the fact that the second letter is typically an l. In IPA phonetic transcription, the word is transcribed as /hɑrd bɔl/, which shows that the letter l in the second syllable is pronounced as a dark l sound, similar to the d sound. This is a common pronunciation pattern in English, where l sounds are often replaced by d or dark l sounds in certain contexts.

HARD BALL Meaning and Definition

1. Hard ball is a noun phrase that primarily refers to a competitive or aggressive approach in a situation, typically in business, politics, or negotiations. It is often used to describe a tough, uncompromising, or stringent stance taken by individuals or organizations to achieve their desired goals or objectives. The term "hard ball" can also describe a particular style of play in sports such as baseball or cricket that involves powerful hits, fast-paced actions, and strong defensive strategies.

   In a business context, playing hard ball usually entails employing forceful tactics, such as aggressive pricing strategies, intense negotiations, or leveraging one's influence or power to gain an advantage over competitors. It may involve adopting a stringent approach towards cost-cutting, cutting corners, or other actions that prioritize the organization's interests over other stakeholders. In politics, playing hard ball usually refers to employing aggressive campaign strategies, engaging in attack ads, or using controversial tactics to gain an edge over opponents.

   Moreover, hard ball can also refer to the use of strict and inflexible negotiation techniques, where parties involved are less willing to compromise or make concessions. This approach often involves pushing one's interests without considering the consequences it might have on relationships or long-term cooperation.

   Overall, hard ball emphasizes a relentless, often combative, and single-minded pursuit of goals, often prioritizing results over relationship-building or cooperation.

Common Misspellings for HARD BALL

• gard ball
• bard ball
• nard ball
• jard ball
• uard ball
• yard ball
• hzrd ball
• hsrd ball

Etymology of HARD BALL

The term "hard ball" is derived from the game of baseball, where one of the balls used is a hard, solid sphere made of cork or rubber coated with cowhide. In baseball, the term "hard ball" refers to the serious and competitive nature of the sport, as opposed to the more casual "soft ball" variant. Over time, the phrase "playing hard ball" has also come to be used metaphorically in various contexts to mean an aggressive or uncompromising approach.

Similar spelling word for HARD BALL

• handball.