to thrash out a compromise

5.7

Talk about things fully to reach an agreement when people disagree

phrasal verb

: negociar un compromiso

After hours of negotiation, they finally thrashed out a compromise everyone could accept.

Examples

We're meeting tomorrow to thrash out a compromise on the new policy.
Let's thrash out a compromise before the deadline.
The two sides managed to thrash out a compromise before the deadline.
The team needs to thrash out a compromise soon.
The team met several times to thrash out a compromise that would satisfy both parties.
After hours of debate, they finally thrashed out a compromise on the project terms.
The negotiators worked hard to thrash out a compromise that would be acceptable for everyone involved.

Synonyms

to negotiate

vsto thrash out a compromise

Formal

801 3.7

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

is less formal and stresses thorough discussion after disagreement

to settle

vsto thrash out a compromise

596 3.3

To end an argument by agreement or decision

is more about the talking process used to reach that end after disagreement

to compromise

vsto thrash out a compromise

215 3.7

To settle a disagreement by each side giving up something

uses thorough discussion rather than only reciprocal concessions to find a settlement

to cut a deal

vsto thrash out a compromise

Informal

94 3.5

Make an agreement after talking, often in business or politics

is the thorough discussion process that leads to such an arrangement

to come to terms

vsto thrash out a compromise

83 4.1

To accept a difficult situation or agree with someone after talking

is focused on active, detailed debate to achieve agreement after disagreement

to reconcile

vsto thrash out a compromise

38 5.1

To become friendly again after a disagreement

is more about intensive discussion to reach a decision rather than relationship repair

to reach an agreement

vsto thrash out a compromise

35 3.0

Decide together after talking about the terms

is the active process of thorough discussion leading to that mutual decision

to haggle

vsto thrash out a compromise

26 3.3

To argue about the price to try to pay less

uses wider thorough discussion to reach settlement rather than only price bargaining

to hammer out

vsto thrash out a compromise

23 4.2

To talk about something in detail until people reach an agreement

is similar but less about force and more about thorough discussion after conflict

to settle with

vsto thrash out a compromise

22 4.1

To reach an agreement with someone to end a dispute

is mainly the process of detailed talking leading to that agreement after disagreement

to iron out

vsto thrash out a compromise

22 3.8

Settle problems or disagreements by talking and finding a solution

is more about full debate to reach agreement after conflict

to hash out

vsto thrash out a compromise

Informal

20 4.6

Talk about details carefully to reach an agreement

is about full discussion that ends disagreements rather than only details

to strike a deal

vsto thrash out a compromise

20 3.4

To agree with someone after talking about the details

is the detailed talk used to produce that outcome after disagreement

to split the difference

vsto thrash out a compromise

Informal

9 4.1

Agree on a middle amount between two offers

is centered on long, detailed discussion rather than choosing the middle point

to resolve conflicts

vsto thrash out a compromise

5 3.4

To find a fair way to end a disagreement between people

is more about prolonged discussion aiming to produce that solution after disagreement

to reach a consensus

vsto thrash out a compromise

5 3.5

A group of people agree about something after discussion

is about intensive discussion between parties rather than broad group agreement

to give ground

vsto thrash out a compromise

3 4.9

To accept less than you want in a discussion to reach an agreement

is more about full discussion to produce a settlement rather than single concessions

to parley

vsto thrash out a compromise

Archaic

3 8.6

To hold a discussion between opposing sides to try to make an agreement or peace

is less limited to formal enemy talks and more general thorough discussion

to thrash out

vsto thrash out a compromise

Informal

2 5.3

To discuss a problem carefully to reach a solution or agreement

is the same expression but focuses on finding a middle solution after disagreement

to meet halfway

vsto thrash out a compromise

2 3.5

Each person gives up some of what they want to reach an agreement

relies more on in depth discussion rather than equal concessions to resolve differences

to settle a disagreement

vsto thrash out a compromise

1 3.1

Make people or groups agree after an argument

emphasizes the thorough discussion that is used to reach that resolution

to settle upon

vsto thrash out a compromise

1 3.9

To pick one thing after thinking about the choices

is focused on extended discussion to reach that decision after disagreement

to hash out a deal

vsto thrash out a compromise

Informal

4.9

To discuss the details of an agreement until both sides agree

is focused on broad discussion to settle disagreements rather than only specifics

Antonyms

to disagree

∞ 1.0

Have a different opinion from someone

stall

11 6.2

A deliberate delay used to gain more time

How Thorough

to thrash out a compromise

5.7

to negotiate

Formal

801 3.7

Surface Forms

thrash out a compromise infinitive

thrashed out a compromise past

thrashed out a compromise past participle

thrashing out a compromise present participle

thrashes out a compromise third person singular

Morphology

thrash + out + a + compromise

The literal meanings ('thrash' = beat or struggle; 'out' = to completion) create a metaphor of working something out vigorously, and with 'compromise' the intended sense of discussing thoroughly to reach agreement is related to the parts. However, this is a phrasal-verb metaphor that is not fully predictable from the constituents and would likely require prior exposure for many B1 learners, so it is only partially transparent.

Etymology

Thrash out a compromise comes from the old image of thrash meaning 'to beat', like farmers beating grain to separate it, so people would work a problem hard until the clear part came out. So to thrash out a compromise today means to argue and work hard until you 'reach an agreement'.