drive a hard bargain

drive a hard bargain

To be a skillful and unyielding negotiator or dealmaker. Sal is known to drive a hard bargain, so I doubt you'll get that car for the price you want.

See also: bargain, drive, hard

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: bargain, drive, hard

drive a hard bargain

Be severe in negotiating a transaction, make an agreement to one's advantage. For example, It's more than I planned to pay, but you drive a hard bargain. This expression, first recorded in 1836, uses the verb drive in the sense of "forcefully carry through."

See also: bargain, drive, hard

drive a hard ˈbargain

make sure that you always gain an advantage in business deals, etc: I wouldn’t try to do business with Jack; he’s got the reputation of driving a hard bargain.

See also: bargain, drive, hard