Negotiation Slang & Jargon: A Lot of Wheeling & Dealing!
Basic expressions introduced:
Match the pix and the corresponding expressions:
Dialogue (BS1-Disc2: Tracks 15-16):
Irene: How did the negotiation go with your potential client?
Jack: At first we thought we may need a go-between because we couldn’t see eye to eye. We were at a
standstill for hours. But after a lot of wheeling and dealing, we finally hammered out a deal that everyone
felt would be a win-win situation.
Irene: Did you have to knock down your price much?
Jack: Well, he did drive a hard bargain. The deal almost went sour because he said we came in high and if
we didn’t undercut our competitors, he’d walk. So, we finally caved and made him a rock-bottom offer.
Dialogue translated into standard English:
Irene: How did the negotiation go with your potential client?
Jack: At first we thought we may need a mediator because we couldn’t agree on anything. We were at an
impasse for hours. But after a lot of negotiating, we finally arrived at an agreement that everyone felt would
be a beneficial situation for everyone.
Irene: Did you have to lower your price much?
Jack: Well, he was a very skilled and demanding negotiator. The deal almost failed because he said we
wanted too much money for our services and if we didn’t sell our services at a lower cost than our
competitors, he’d abandon everything. So, we finally gave him what he wanted and gave him the lowest
price possible.
Vocabulary (BS1-Disc2: Track 17):
at a standstill (to be) exp. to be in a situation where no progress can be made, to be at an impasse.
Neither side can reach an agreement. We’ve been at a standstill for a week.
Neither side can reach an agreement. We’ve been at an impasse for a week.
Variation: come to a standstill (to) exp. to come to a stop.
Synonym 1: at a deadlock (to be) exp.
Variation: deadlocked (to be) adj.
Synonym 2: at a stalemate (to be) exp.
Synonym 3: at a standoff (to be) exp.
Synonym 4: hit a dead end (to) exp. (as in a “dead end
street”) which does not continue forward).
cave (to) v. to surrender all opposition and accept someone’s conditions, to comply.
After hours of negotiating, we finally caved and gave them everything they wanted.
After hours of negotiating, we finally surrendered all opposition and gave them everything they wanted.
Variation: cave in (to) exp.
Synonym 1: buckle (to) v.
Synonym 2: change one’s tune (to) exp.
Synonym 3: come around (to) exp.
Synonym 4: cry/say uncle (to) exp.
Synonym 5: give in/up (to) exp.
Synonym 6: knuckle under (to) exp.
Synonym 7: throw in the towel (to) exp.
come in high (to) exp. to charge too much for one’s services.
If you feel that we came in high, we’d be happy to renegotiate.
If you feel that we asked a high price for our services, we’d be happy to renegotiate.
Also 1: pricey adj. expensive
Synonym 1: cost an arm and a leg (to) exp.
Synonym 2: cost a pretty penny (to) exp.
Synonym 3: high price tag (it has a) exp.
Synonym 4: highway robbery (to be) exp.
Synonym 5: way up there (to be) exp.
Antonym 1: a steal / a real steal (to be a) exp.
Antonym 2: cost next to nothing (to) exp.
Antonym 3: dirt cheap (to be) exp.
Also 2: pay through the nose (to) exp. to pay a lot of money for something.
drive a hard bargain (to) exp. to be a very skilled and demanding negotiator.
We finally accepted all of the client’s conditions. He drives a hard bargain.
We finally accepted all of the client’s conditions. He is a very skilled and demanding negotiator.
go-between n. a negotiator who acts as the link between parties, mediator.
Instead of negotiating directly with the client, let’s find a go-between who is completely impartial.
Instead of negotiating directly with the client, let’s find a mediator who is completely impartial.
Synonym: middleman n.
Note: In order to be politically correct, the suffix “man” is typically eliminated from occupational positions (fireman =
firefighter, policeman = police officer, etc.) However, middleman is still commonly used and does not yet have a nongender equivalent.
go sour (to) exp. said of a negotiation that collapses.
The negotiation was going fine when all of a sudden, it went sour. The other side totally rejected our offer.
The negotiation was going fine when all of a sudden, it failed. The other side totally rejected our offer.
Synonym 1: break down (to) exp.
Synonym 2: fall apart (to) exp.
Synonym 3: fall through (to) exp.
hammer out a deal (to) exp. to arrive at an agreement.
It took almost two weeks of negotiating, but we finally hammered out a deal.
It took almost two weeks of negotiating, but we finally arrived at an agreement.
Synonym 1: clinch a deal (to) exp.
Synonym 2: close a deal (to) exp.
Synonym 3: cut a deal (to) exp.
Synonym 4: seal a deal (to) exp.
Synonym 5: strike a deal (to) exp.
Synonym 6: work out a deal (to) exp.
knock down one’s price (to) exp. to lower one’s price.
The vendor you want me to use is too expensive. But if he knocks down his price, I’ll reconsider using him.
The vendor you want me to use is too expensive. But if he lowers his price, I’ll reconsider using him.
Synonym: cut/roll back one’s prices (to) exp.
rock-bottom offer exp. the lowest price that can be offered.
This is our rock-bottom offer. We’ll give you a fifty percent discount on all our products.
This is the lowest price we can offer. We’ll give you a fifty percent discount on all our products.
Also: rock-bottom adj. the lowest (in regard to prices) • This store has rock-bottom prices; This store has the lowest
prices (or: The prices are rock-bottom; The prices are the lowest).
see eye to eye (to) exp. to agree.
Rob and I always see eye to eye on everything. We’ve never had a disagreement.
Rob and I always agree on everything. We’ve never had a disagreement.
Synonym 1: go along with what the other says (to) exp.
Synonym 2: on the same wavelength (to be) exp.
Antonym 1: bump heads (to) exp. (said of two animals fighting for their territory) to be in disagreement.
Antonym 2: lock horns (to) exp. (said of two animals fighting for their territory) to be in disagreement.
undercut (to) v. to offer a lower price (than one’s competition).
If we undercut our competition, the client will be willing to make a deal with us.
If we offer a price that’s lower than our competition, the client will be willing to make a deal with us.
Synonym 1: underbid (to) v.
Synonym 2: undersell (to) v.
walk (to) v. to stop working or giving services because of dissatisfaction.
After hours of negotiating, it’s obvious we’re not getting anywhere. I’m ready to walk.
After hours of negotiating, it’s obvious we’re not getting anywhere. I’m ready to stop working.
Variation: walk out (to) v.
Synonym 1: bail (to) v.
Synonym 2: bow out (to) v.
Synonym 3: drop out (to) v.
Synonym 4: hang it up (to) v.
Synonym 5: pull out (to) v.
wheel and deal (to) exp. to negotiate.
We wheeled and dealed for three months before arriving at an agreement.
We negotiated for three months before arriving at an agreement.
Variation: wheeler and dealer (a) exp. a good negotiator.
Synonym 1: cut a deal (to) exp.
Synonym 2: dicker (to) v.
Synonym 3: hack out a deal (to) exp.
Synonym 4: hammer out a deal (to) exp.
win-win situation exp. a situation where everyone benefits.
The more products I sell, the more commission I make. It’s a win-win situation for me and my company!
The more products I sell, the more commission I make. It’s mutually beneficial for me and my company!
WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF SOMEONE SAID...? (BS1-Disc2: Track 18).