to bargain

Examples

• All

• You want to bargain with me, at a time like this.

  Double Indemnity (1944)

• I was thinking about something you said, about having more to bargain with.

  Romancing the Stone (1984)

• A previous history of using union musicians could require the employer to bargain with the union.

  Academic text (1994)

• The woman who earlier bought a bird is bargaining for a cheaper price on a second bird.

  Fiction book (1992)

• Satisfied, she sat down in the cabin with the captain and bargained for an all-day dive rate.

  Fiction book (1991)

• The vendors on the sidewalk bargain vigorously in Yiddish, Italian, and English.

  Fiction book (1991)

• She decided to bargain for a lower rate on her insurance policy during the renewal process.

• It's always wise to bargain at flea markets to ensure you get the best deals.

Synonyms

N

to negotiate

vsto bargain

• Formal

801 3.7

Try to reach an agreement by talking, often about business terms

is more focused on improving price or deal conditions in trade

D

to dicker

vsto bargain

• US

3 8.4

To bargain about a price before buying something

is about discussing terms to get a better price or conditions

H

to horse-trade

vsto bargain

• Informal

1 7.3

To make a deal by talking in a tough, smart way

is a broader discussion to improve price without necessarily using hard tactics

C

to chaffer

vsto bargain

• Archaic

9.9

Talk with someone to get a lower price or a better deal

is general discussion to improve price or other conditions

Antonyms

A

to accept

793 1.0

To take something someone offers, for example a gift or invitation

Idioms

H

to hold up one's end of the bargain

• Informal

7 4.4

Do what you promised in an agreement

I

into the bargain

• UK

1 3.8

Adds an extra thing to what was said

F

for a bargain price

1 2.7

At a much lower price than usual

I

in the bargain

1 4.4

Also receive something extra at the same time

Phrasal Verbs

B

to bargain for

20 4.2

To have more difficulty or work than you expected

P

to plea-bargain

• Specialized

9 7.2

Agree to admit guilt for a smaller charge to get a lighter sentence or avoid a trial

B

to bargain down

1 4.0

To persuade someone to accept a lower price than first offered

Compounds

P

plea bargain

• Specialized

64 4.2

An agreement where a person accused of a crime admits guilt to a smaller charge to get a lighter sentence

B

bargain hunter

5 3.2

A person who looks for goods sold at low prices

F

Faustian bargain

• Literature

2 9.8

An agreement to give up moral values to gain power or success

B

bargain rate

1 3.2

A price lower than usual offered as a special deal

B

bargain-priced

1 3.2

Sold for a lower price than usual

B

bad bargain

1 4.6

A purchase or deal that leaves you worse off

T

travel bargain

1 2.9

A low price for trips, for example plane tickets or hotels

F

fool's bargain

• Informal

8.1

A deal that seems good at first but is bad later

How Aggressive

to haggle

26 3.3

to bargain

103 2.4

to negotiate

• Formal

801 3.7

to ask

941 2.7

to discuss

∞ 1.6

Surface Forms

Etymology