noun
straightforward approach; playing it straight; fair deal
Conveys tackling something directly without tricks or evasion, often in negotiations or competition. The metaphor comes from baseball: a fastball challenge.
交渉では直球勝負でいこう。
Let's go with a straightforward approach in the negotiations.
彼はいつも直球勝負で、裏表が
He always plays it straight and is completely open.