Negotiating is one of the most important things in business. Trying to strike a bargain (make an agreement), or create a win-win situation ( where everybody wins) is not always easy. Take a look at our chosen idioms for negotiations.
| Idiom | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Drive a hard bargain | Negotiate aggressively to achieve the best possible deal. | “She drove a hard bargain to secure a lower price for the contract.” |
| Play hard ball | Negotiate in a tough and uncompromising manner. | “The company decided to play hardball in the negotiation to protect its interests.” |
| Stand your ground | Maintain a firm position or opinion, especially in the face of opposition. | “Despite the pressure, she stood her ground and refused to compromise on the terms.” |
| Dig your heels in | Refuse to change your position or opinions. | “He dug his heels in and insisted on his demands during the negotiation.” |
| Play your cards right | Manage a situation or negotiation skillfully to achieve a favorable outcome. | “If we play our cards right, we can secure a partnership with the company.” |
| Keep your cards close to your chest | Keep your intentions, plans, or information secret during negotiations. | “He kept his cards close to his chest to prevent the other party from gaining an advantage.” |
| Have an ace up your sleeve | Have a secret advantage or resource that can be used if needed. | “She always has an ace up her sleeve during negotiations, giving her an edge over her opponents.” |
| Read between the lines | Understand the hidden or implied meaning in a conversation or negotiation. | “By reading between the lines, she was able to discern the true intentions behind the proposal.” |
| Bring to the table | Contribute valuable skills, resources, or qualities to a negotiation or discussion. | “He brought years of experience and expertise to the table during the merger negotiations.” |
| Talk someone into something | Persuade someone to agree to or accept something. | “He managed to talk the investors into supporting the new project.” |
| Talk someone out of something | Persuade someone not to do or accept something. | “She tried to talk him out of investing in the risky venture.” |
| Talk something over | Discuss something thoroughly, especially to reach a decision or agreement. | “Let’s talk the terms over before finalizing the contract.” |
| Leave no stone unturned | Make every possible effort to find or achieve something. | “We left no stone unturned in our search for the best supplier.” |
| See both sides of the coin | Consider and understand different perspectives or viewpoints. | “It’s important to see both sides of the coin before making a decision.” |
| Sleep on it | Delay making a decision until the following day, often to gain perspective or clarity. | “I need some time to think. Can I sleep on it and give you an answer tomorrow?” |
| Change your mind | Reverse a decision or opinion. | “After considering the new information, she changed her mind about the proposal.” |
| Win-win situation | A situation or outcome in which all parties benefit or are satisfied. | “The negotiated settlement was a win-win situation for both companies.” |
| Find common ground | Discover shared interests, beliefs, or opinions to reach an agreement or understanding. | “Despite their differences, they managed to find common ground and work together.” |
| Strike a deal | Reach an agreement or come to terms with someone. | “After lengthy negotiations, they finally struck a deal that satisfied both parties.” |
| No strings attached | A situation or agreement without any special conditions, obligations, or requirements. | “They offered the donation with no strings attached, allowing the charity to use it as they saw fit.” |
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