bargain (redirected from bargain away)

bargain (over someone or something) (with someone) and bargain (for someone or something) (with someone)

to negotiate with someone about obtaining someone or something. I refuse to bargain over money with Dan. We will bargain with the supplier over prices. You can't bargain over Claire with Jeff as if she were a car!

bargain for something and bargain on something

to plan for something; to expect something. We knew the project would be difficult, but we didn't bargain for this kind of trouble. I bargained on an easier time of it than this.

bargaining chip

Fig. something to be used (traded) in negotiations. I want to use their refusal to meet our terms as a bargaining chip in future negotiations. I need to have a few bargaining chips ready when we get down to drawing up the contract.

See also: chip

drive a hard bargain

to work hard to negotiate prices or agreements in one's own favor. All right, sir, you drive a hard bargain. I'll sell you this car for $12,450. You drive a hard bargain, Jane, but I'll sign the contract.

See also: drive, hard

hold one's end of the bargain up and keep one's end of the bargain up

Fig. to do one's part as agreed; to attend to one's responsibilities as agreed. If you don't hold your end up, the whole project will fail. Tom has to learn to cooperate. He must keep up his end of the bargain.

See also: end, hold, up

It takes two to make a bargain.

Prov. Both parties in a negotiation must agree in order for the negotiation to be successful. Jill: You'll give me a ride to work every day this week, like we agreed, won't you? Jane: Wait a minute. I only said I'd give you a ride to work today. It takes two to make a bargain. Ellen: We decided you should make dinner tonight, right? Fred: No, we didn't decide that; you decided that. It takes two to make a bargain.

See also: make, take, two

live up to one's end of the bargain and keep one's side of the bargain; live up to one's side of the bargain; keep one's end of the bargain

to carry though on a bargain; to do as was promised in a bargain. You can't quit now. You have to live up to your end of the bargain. Bob isn't keeping his end of the bargain, so I am going to sue him.

See also: end, live, up

more than one bargained for

more than one thought one would get. (Usually in reference to trouble or difficulty.) When Betsy brought home the sweet little puppy for a companion, she got more than she bargained for. That animal has cost her hundreds of dollars in bills. I got more than I bargained for when I took this job.

See also: more, one

seal a bargain and seal the bargain

Fig. to signify or celebrate the reaching of an agreement or bargain. They signed the papers and sealed the bargain by drinking champagne.

See also: seal

strike a bargain and strike a deal

to reach an agreement on a price or negotiation (for something). They argued for a while and finally struck a bargain. They were unable to strike a bargain, so they ended their meeting.

See also: strike

throw something into the bargain and include something in the bargain; throw something in

to include something extra in a deal. To encourage me to buy a new car, the car dealer threw a free radio into the bargain. If you purchase three pounds of chocolates, I'll throw one pound of salted nuts into the bargain. She threw in a free calendar.

See also: throw

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a bargaining chip  (British, American & Australian) also a bargaining counter (British)

something that you can use to make someone do what you want The workers' strongest bargaining chip in the negotiations is the threat of strike action. Hostages were used as a bargaining counter during the seige.

See also: chip

bring somebody to the [bargaining/peace etc.] table

to persuade a person or a country to join discussions in order to find a solution to a problem We hope to be able to bring the warring factions to the negotiating table to try to end this conflict.

See also: bring, table

drive a hard bargain

to demand a lot or refuse to give much when making an agreement with someone I'm impressed that you got £2000 for that car. You certainly drive a hard bargain.

See also: drive, hard

into the bargain  (British, American & Australian) also in the bargain (American)

in addition to the other facts previously talked about Caffeine is a brain-stimulant, does not have any beneficial effects on health and is mildly addictive into the bargain.

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drive a hard bargain

to make someone agree to an arrangement that benefits you The bank was able to drive a hard bargain because the company badly needed cash.

See also: drive, hard

in the bargain also into the bargain

in addition It was a very powerful horse and stubborn in the bargain.

more than somebody/something bargained for

something in addition to what was expected The pain caused by the operation was much more than I bargained for.

Usage notes: often used with get: Sarah was looking for a challenge, but she may have gotten more than she bargained for in this job.

See also: more