Toymaker Mattel is getting ready to play hardball in an effort to persuade Hasbro to reconsider a merger.玩具制造商美泰已准备采用强硬手段，促使孩之宝重新考虑合并方案。He's a nice guy, but he can play hardball when he needs to.他是一个和气的人，但在必要时他也会变得很强硬。The Deputy Prime Minister told reporters that Canada was ready to play hardball with the US.副首相对记者说加拿大已准备对美国采取强硬态度。