Negotiations [A]

Question 1

at stake

Answer 1

[prep. phr.] at risk, can be gained or lost v . X

Question 2

back down

Answer 2

[v] to admit mistakes or stop making threats x . X

Question 3

back out

Answer 3

[v] to pull out of a contract, an arrangement or promise x . X

Question 4

ball is in one’s court

Answer 4

it is one’s turn to make a decision

Question 5

beat around the bush

Answer 5

[v] to give an indirect answer, usually a long one x . v x . v . X

Question 6

bone of contention

Answer 6

[n] the most important issue that causes conflicts or arguments x . v . v X v

Question 7

break through

Answer 7

[v] to have notable success x . X

Question 8

call the shots

Answer 8

[v] to make decisions or be in command x . v . X

Question 9

cave in to something

Answer 9

[v] to agree under pressure x . X . v . x v

Question 10

close a deal

Answer 10

[v] to end a negotiation productively by reaching an agreement x . v . X

Question 11

close ranks

Answer 11

[v] to be united or undivided; to do something as a unit x . X

Question 12

come in high

Answer 12

[v] to set a high price x . x . X

Question 13

come to terms

Answer 13

[v] to reach an agreement x . x . X

Question 14

common ground

Answer 14

[n] set of shared interests or ideas x v . X

Question 15

continue down to the wire

Answer 15

[v] to keep on doing something shortly before deadline or have only a short time left before deadline v X v . x . v . v . X

Question 16

cover a lot of ground

Answer 16

[v] to tackle many issues, facts or information X v . v . x . v . X

Question 17

drag one’s heels

Answer 17

[v] to move or decide unhurriedly or unwillingly X . x . X

Question 18

draw the line

Answer 18

[v] to set limits or separate X . v . X

Question 19

drive a hard bargain

Answer 19

[v] to negotiate intensely in order to gain a favorable result X . v . x . X v

Question 20

face down someone

Answer 20

[v] to deal with a person bravely and strongly x . X . x v

Question 21

force someone’s hand

Answer 21

[v] to pressure a person into doing something that he or she does not want to do X . x v . X

Question 22

get down to business

Answer 22

[v] to immediately begin doing the task at hand x . x . v . X v

Question 23

get the ball rolling

Answer 23

[v] to begin doing something

Question 24

get the raw end of the deal

Answer 24

[v] to be treated harshly or unfairly

Question 25

get to the bottom of something

Answer 25

[v] to know the root cause

Question 26

give away the farm

Answer 26

[v] to give something excessive and unwarranted without getting anything commensurate in return x . v x . v . X

Question 27

give ground

Answer 27

[v] to pull back from a territory, retreat from a position, or change a demand in a negotiation or an opinion in an issue x . X

Question 28

go back to the drawing board

Answer 28

[v] to do something again from the start because the first try was unsuccessful or unacceptable

Question 29

go for broke

Answer 29

[v] to do everything possible and use resources available x . v . X

Question 30

go over like a lead balloon

Answer 30

[v] to fail to generate positive feedback

Question 31

hammer out

Answer 31

[v] to forge an agreement x v . X

Question 32

iron out

Answer 32

[v] to resolve an issue x v . X

Question 33

have a card up one’s sleeve

Answer 33

[v] to hide something valuable and useful

Question 34

have a poker face

Answer 34

[v] to not show any emotions or facial expressions x . v . X v . x

Question 35

hold all the aces

Answer 35

[v] to have all the advantages x . x . v . X v

Question 36

horse-trading

Answer 36

[n] negotiation characterized by intense bargaining X x v

Question 37

lay one’s cards on the table

Answer 37

[v] to be straightforward and reveal one’s real intentions or feelings

Question 38

leave the door open

Answer 38

[v] to allow for future actions or events to happen x . v . X . x v

Question 39

make headway

Answer 39

[v] to advance, grow or become better x . X v

Question 40

meet someone halfway

Answer 40

[v] to compromise with a person x . x v . x X

Question 41

off the record

Answer 41

[prep. phr.] unofficial or confidential x . v . X v

Question 42

play one’s ace

Answer 42

[v] to use one’s strengths, advantages and resources x . x . X

Question 43

play one’s cards close to one’s chest

Answer 43

[v] to be careful or secretive

Question 44

play hardball

Answer 44

[v] to act assertively or violently when dealing with a person x . X x

Question 45

read between the lines

Answer 45

[v] to analyze what a person truly feels or wants

Question 46

rock-bottom offer

Answer 46

[n] proposal to supply goods and services at the lowest possible or an extremely low price X x v . X v

Question 47

stand one’s ground

Answer 47

[v] to justify an action or maintain a position X . x . X

Question 48

stick to one’s guns

Answer 48

[v] to justify an action or maintain a position despite negative feedback x . v . v . X

Question 49

sweeten the deal

Answer 49

[v] to make an offer appealing X v . v . X

Question 50

up the ante

Answer 50

[v] to increase the cost or risk of an activity; to improve quality x . v . X v

Question 51

water down

Answer 51

[v] to give something less strength, lower quality or fewer features x v . X