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Glite Dictionary
to horse-trade

to horse-trade

1 7.3
To make a deal by talking in a tough, smart way
  • verb
  • /ˈhɔrsˌtreɪd/
  • Informal
translation icon : negociar
  • This is also the story of a political pragmatist who knew how to "horse trade" and play "hard ball" in order to achieve his desired ends.

Examples

  • But it's a message that may not surprise a public weary from decades of battles and horse-trading that have defined Capitol Hill.

    Blog text (15)

  • In politics, you often have to horse-trade to secure important votes for your proposals.

  • Here is where the real horse-trading will happen.

    Blog text (21)

  • She knows how to horse trade.

    Blog text (1)

  • - You think they wanna horse-trade?

    G.I. Jane (1997)

  • He may not be dealing with rational players (also known as politicians), willing to horse trade for their goals.

    Blog text (1)

  • Other presidents knew how to horse trade, or even threaten members with loss of assignments (read about how Johnson got some of his social programs passed).

    Blog text (34)

  • During the negotiation, both sides had to horse-trade to reach a fair agreement.

  • The two companies decided to horse-trade their resources to enhance collaboration on their project.

Synonyms

to bargain
vsto horse-trade
103 2.4

To discuss the price or terms to get a better deal

applies tougher, more strategic negotiation aimed at compromise and agreement
to cut a deal
vsto horse-trade
  • Informal
94 3.5

Make an agreement after talking, often in business or politics

uses shrewd tough negotiation to reach compromise rather than simple agreement
to dicker
vsto horse-trade
  • US
3 8.4

To bargain about a price before buying something

focuses on shrewd, tough negotiation for compromise beyond simple price haggling
to wheel and deal
vsto horse-trade
  • Informal
3 6.9

To make deals quickly and cleverly to get an advantage

focuses on shrewd compromise to reach agreement rather than personal gain
to wrangle a better deal
vsto horse-trade
6.3

To negotiate strongly to get a better price or better terms

prioritizes reaching agreement through shrewd compromise

Surface Forms

horse-trade infinitive
horse-traded past
horse-traded past participle
horse-trading present participle
horse-trades third person singular

Morphology

horse-trade = horse trade (semi-transparent) = horse + trade

The components suggest bargaining or dealing, but the modern verbal sense of strategic negotiation is somewhat conventionalized rather than fully literal.

Etymology

Horse-trade combines horse and trade and comes from the old practice of buying and selling horses, where traders often made tough, clever bargains. So, to horse-trade today is to bargain or trade favours in a clever, 'give-and-take' way until people agree.