Business Negotiations Idioms! Learn common Bird idioms, phrases, and sayings in English with meaning and example sentences.
Idioms for Business Negotiations
Here is a list of some common Business Negotiations idioms with definitions and examples:
A deal breaker
Meaning: (in business and politics) a factor or issue which, if unresolved during negotiations, would cause one party to withdraw from a deal
Example: If a partner won’t accept your friends or family, that’s usually a dealbreaker in a relationship.
Agreement In Principle
Meaning: In a negotiation, an agreement in which not all details have been worked out
Example: The agreement in principle was expected to be signed at the Washington summit.
Alternative
Meaning: A choice that could be better than the present situation.
Example: Alternative medicines are now winning greater acceptance among doctors.
An Offer One Can’t Refuse
Meaning: An extremely attractive offer
Example: The university made me an offer I couldn’t refuse: a $4,000-a-year raise and a reduction in my class load.
Back And Forth
Meaning: Dialogue, negotiations
Example: The people swayed back and forth with arms linked.
Bottom line
Meaning: the line at the bottom of a financial report that shows the net profit or loss
Example: The bottom line is that recycling isn’t profitable.
Come to Terms With (Something)
Meaning: Feel acceptance toward something bad that has happened
Example: It was hard to come to terms with her death after all the support she gave to me and the family.
Concession/to concede
Meaning: Something you give up when trying to make a deal. Negotiation trainers advise that a concession may also be referred to as a “trade-off,” as it’s usually given in exchange for something.
Example: What are you willing to concede?
Counter proposal
Meaning: An alternative solution you offer when you disagree with the one already presented.
Example: We came with a counter proposal, but they weren’t open to negotiation.
Counteroffer
Meaning: An offer made in response to a previous offer by the other side. A counteroffer may also be referred to as a counter-proposal or as an alternative offer.
Example: The first company made a very attractive counter-offer and won the order.
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Deadlock
Meaning: An issue that negotiators are unable to agree on. A deadlock issue can become a deal breaker if unresolved.
Example: We are unable to reach an agreement as we are deadlocked on several items in the contract.
Draw a Line in the Sand
Meaning: Issue an ultimatum; specify an absolute limit in a conflict
Example: The president drew a line in the sand, threatening war if the neighboring country did not reduce troop levels.
Drive a Hard Bargain
Meaning: To negotiate effectively
Example: At first I wasn’t ready to accept your offer for the house. But you drive a hard bargain.
Drive a Wedge Between
Meaning: Try to split factions of a united group by introducing an issue on which they disagree
Example: The papal reform tended to drive a wedge between the educated, celibate higher clergy, and the rank and file.
Give and Take
Meaning: Negotiations, the process of compromise
Example: The principle of give and take is the principle of diplomacy – give one and take ten.
Highball/lowball offer
Meaning: An extremely high (highball) or low (lowball) offer. Whether an offer is high or low depends on the value of the negotiated item.
Example: The landlord says that the space costs $2,000 per month. Assuming that the price represents fair market value, an offer of $800 is a lowball offer. On the other hand, a seller’s price of $3,500 is a highball offer.
Leverage
Meaning: Something that gives you power in a negotiation
Example: The supermarket chain really wanted that land, but the owner didn’t give in easily. He had a lot of leverage because the position was ideal.
Making A Proposal
Meaning: a plan that is formally suggested
Example: Everyone thought the proposal made sense.
Meet Somebody Halfway
Meaning: to find a compromise, particularly in negotiation on price
Example: Let’s meet each other halfway; I’ll come up to £95,000. If you come down to £95,000, I’ll meet you halfway. We shake hands, and the deal is done.
Mend Fences
Meaning: to restore a broken relationship; to make peace and get on with life
Example: I’m sorry for what I said. I shouldn’t have said it. Let’s not fall out any further over it. Let’s mend fences.
Stand One’s Ground
Meaning: Refuse to back down; insist on one’s position
Example: The company is threatening to lock the doors if we don’t agree to pay cuts, but I think we should stand our ground.
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Sweeten the Deal
Meaning: Add something to an offer during a negotiation
Example: A delivery of butter pecan or Neapolitan might sweeten the deal.
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Sweetheart Deal
Meaning: A very favorable arrangement given because of friendship or close connections
Example: Members of the council had arranged a sweetheart deal with CTS.
To bargain
Meaning: To discuss the conditions of an agreement, to negotiate.
Example: The leaders refused to bargain away the freedom of their people.
To Be A Party To Something
Meaning: you are part of a negotiation, you’re part of a contract and partly responsible for it
Example: It was going to be a party to end all parties.
To Bend Over Backwards
Meaning: to try to do as much as possible for the person with whom you’re negotiating
Example: I’ve bent over backwards for that customer, and he still won’t agree. I’m really frustrated.
To Drive/Strike A Bargain/Deal
Meaning: to reach an agreement
Example: We struck a bargain today, the building starts next week.
To Give Ground
Meaning: to relent a little bit; to retreat
Example: They’re not going to agree on everything in the contract. We might have to give ground on one or two points.
To Play Somebody At Their Own Game
Meaning: when you play somebody at their own game, you do exactly as they’re doing; you mirror the actions that they take
Example: Many car dealers have their own tricks to squeeze more money out of you, you’ve got to play them at their own game!
To reach a consensus
Meaning: To reach an agreement
Example: We hope to reach a consensus on the two pending items of the deal.
To Sign On The Dotted Line
Meaning: to formally agree to something by signing a document
Example: When we arrive at the office each morning we have to sign on the dotted line.
Trial Balloon
Meaning: A test of someone’s or the public’s reaction
Example: They floated the trial balloon of actually cutting Social Security.
