bargaining chip
18
3.4
- noun
- /ˈbɑrɡənɪŋ tʃɪp/
:
moneda de cambio
- I only said I had it to keep Sam alive, as a bargaining chip.
It is a a great bargaining chip.
- It is a a great bargaining chip.
- He will see to that the news infuriating some who felt this issue of aid was a key bargaining chip that we should be using to bring the hostages home.
Examples
-
South Korean officials preferred to use the exercise as a bargaining chip to urge North Korea to allow nuclear inspections.
Academic text (2004) -
That's our bargaining chip on getting Mom and Dad back.
-
Seems like it's the only bargaining chip you got at this point.
-
We're not through with you as a bargaining chip.
-
And I have the only bargaining chip.
-
We now have the bargaining chip.
-
You need a bargaining chip.
-
If we could do it, it could be a major bargaining chip to use with him.
Fiction book (1995) -
Robin is their bargaining chip.
-
She offered her unique skills as a bargaining chip in the contract negotiation.
Antonyms
How Valuable
Surface Forms
Morphology
The compound links 'bargaining' (negotiation) with 'chip' (a token), so a learner who knows both words can plausibly infer it refers to a token or item used in negotiations to gain advantage. However, the sense of 'chip' as metaphorical leverage (not a literal token) requires a figurative mapping and is not completely predictable from the parts, making the expression only partially transparent.
Etymology
The phrase bargaining chip comes from the image of a small chip or token used in games and trades that you could offer or trade to get something, and the bargaining part shows it is used to make a deal. So, a bargaining chip means 'something you can offer or hold back to get an advantage in a negotiation'.