softball
noun [ U ]
US uk/ˈsɒftbɔːl/ us informal
a method of doing something that is not forceful, determined, or unpleasant:
With its burgeoning trade deficit, the US is in no mood to play softball.
Compare
hardball
a softball question
informal
a question that is easy to answer:
I know this is probably like a softball question to you, but are you going to go ask Congress for more money and more staff?
News crews lobbed softball questions.