Negotiations [A] Flashcards
at stake
[prep. phr.] at risk, can be gained or lost v . X
back down
[v] to admit mistakes or stop making threats x . X
back out
[v] to pull out of a contract, an arrangement or promise x . X
ball is in one’s court
it is one’s turn to make a decision
beat around the bush
[v] to give an indirect answer, usually a long one x . v x . v . X
bone of contention
[n] the most important issue that causes conflicts or arguments x . v . v X v
break through
[v] to have notable success x . X
call the shots
[v] to make decisions or be in command x . v . X
cave in to something
[v] to agree under pressure x . X . v . x v
close a deal
[v] to end a negotiation productively by reaching an agreement x . v . X
close ranks
[v] to be united or undivided; to do something as a unit x . X
come in high
[v] to set a high price x . x . X
come to terms
[v] to reach an agreement x . x . X
common ground
[n] set of shared interests or ideas x v . X
continue down to the wire
[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
cover a lot of ground
[v] to tackle many issues, facts or information X v . v . x . v . X
drag one’s heels
[v] to move or decide unhurriedly or unwillingly X . x . X
draw the line
[v] to set limits or separate X . v . X
drive a hard bargain
[v] to negotiate intensely in order to gain a favorable result X . v . x . X v
face down someone
[v] to deal with a person bravely and strongly x . X . x v
force someone’s hand
[v] to pressure a person into doing something that he or she does not want to do X . x v . X
get down to business
[v] to immediately begin doing the task at hand x . x . v . X v
get the ball rolling
[v] to begin doing something
get the raw end of the deal
[v] to be treated harshly or unfairly
get to the bottom of something
[v] to know the root cause
give away the farm
[v] to give something excessive and unwarranted without getting anything commensurate in return x . v x . v . X
give ground
[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
go back to the drawing board
[v] to do something again from the start because the first try was unsuccessful or unacceptable
go for broke
[v] to do everything possible and use resources available x . v . X
go over like a lead balloon
[v] to fail to generate positive feedback
hammer out
[v] to forge an agreement x v . X
iron out
[v] to resolve an issue x v . X
have a card up one’s sleeve
[v] to hide something valuable and useful
have a poker face
[v] to not show any emotions or facial expressions x . v . X v . x
hold all the aces
[v] to have all the advantages x . x . v . X v
horse-trading
[n] negotiation characterized by intense bargaining X x v
lay one’s cards on the table
[v] to be straightforward and reveal one’s real intentions or feelings
leave the door open
[v] to allow for future actions or events to happen x . v . X . x v
make headway
[v] to advance, grow or become better x . X v
meet someone halfway
[v] to compromise with a person x . x v . x X
off the record
[prep. phr.] unofficial or confidential x . v . X v
play one’s ace
[v] to use one’s strengths, advantages and resources x . x . X
play one’s cards close to one’s chest
[v] to be careful or secretive
play hardball
[v] to act assertively or violently when dealing with a person x . X x
read between the lines
[v] to analyze what a person truly feels or wants
rock-bottom offer
[n] proposal to supply goods and services at the lowest possible or an extremely low price X x v . X v
stand one’s ground
[v] to justify an action or maintain a position X . x . X
stick to one’s guns
[v] to justify an action or maintain a position despite negative feedback x . v . v . X
sweeten the deal
[v] to make an offer appealing X v . v . X
up the ante
[v] to increase the cost or risk of an activity; to improve quality x . v . X v
water down
[v] to give something less strength, lower quality or fewer features x v . X
