at stake
- something that can be gained or lost
There was much at stake during the negotiations between the police and the government.
back down
- to yield in one's position during negotiations, to not follow up on a threat
The government backed down on their threat to stop giving extra money to hospitals.
bog down
- to slow to a stop
The negotiations became bogged down over the issue of part-time workers.
bone of contention
- the subject or reason for a fight/dispute
The size of the project was a bone of contention during the talks between the city and the developer.
break down
- to fail, to stop
The negotiations broke down last night when both sides refused to compromise about the budget required.
break off
- to stop or end suddenly
The government decided to break off talks about extending the trade agreement.
break through
- to be successful after overcoming a difficulty
We were able to break through in our efforts to find a solution to the problem.
breakthrough
- a success that comes after overcoming a difficulty
There was a breakthrough in the talks aimed at ending the doctors strike.
close a deal
- to end a negotiation successfully
We had to work hard but we were finally able to close the deal.
close ranks
- to unite and fight together
During the meeting we closed ranks and refused to compromise on any issue.
come in low
- to offer a low amount of money for a product or service
The company came in low with an offer for our product.
come to terms
- to reach an agreement
After negotiating all night the government and the company came to terms on an arrangement for the new water
system.
come up in a discussion
- to become a subject in a discussion
Nothing related to the issue of quality came up during the meeting.
common ground
- shared beliefs or interests
There was no common ground between the two sides and the negotiations did not go well.
cover ground
- to talk about the important facts and details of something
The number of questions seemed endless and we were unable to cover much ground during the meeting.
cut a deal
- to make an agreement, to make a deal/arrangement
We cut a deal and left the meeting in a positive mood.
drag on
- to be prolonged, to continue for a long time
The talks between the company and the lawyers dragged on for several weeks.
draw up (something)
- to put something (a contract or a plan) in writing
The lawyers drew up a contract for the new housing development on the government land.
fall through
- to fail, to be ruined, to not happen
The deal for the new machinery fell through and we will have to look for another supplier.
fifty-fifty
- equally, evenly
We shared the profits with the other company fifty-fifty.
give a little
- to compromise during a negotiation
We know that we will be forced to give a little if we want to complete the negotiations.
give ground
- to move back or retreat from one's position
We bargained hard but the other sales representatives refused to give ground.
give in to (someone)
- to do what another person wants rather than to fight and argue against him or her
After eight weeks of negotiations we gave in and agreed to sell the machinery at a discount.
go back on (something)
- to not be faithful or loyal to one's word or an agreement
The company directors went back on their word to give the employees a salary increase.
go for broke
- to risk everything on one big effort, to try as hard as possible
After going for broke at the meeting we finally reached an agreement.
hard-nosed
- to be very strict, to be stubborn, to be uncompromising
The negotiators were hard-nosed during the talks for a new contract.
horse-trade
- to make a business agreement/deal after careful bargaining and compromise
After several hours of horse-trading we reached an agreement to buy the new computers.
in the bag
- to be certain
The contract for the new insurance policy is in the bag.
make an offer
- to make a financial or other proposal for a product or service
I plan to make an offer and try to buy the house that I like.
make headway
- to make progress
We have been bargaining hard all week and we are making headway with the new agreement.
a raw deal
- treatment that is not fair
The sales manager received a raw deal when he was forced to give up his former position.
reach a stalemate
- to arrive at a position where no progress is being made
The talks to buy the new computers have reached a stalemate and it will be difficult to start them again.
rock-bottom offer
- the lowest price that one can offer to buy something
The buyer made a rock-bottom offer to buy our product.
a setback
- a delay or handicap
The bad weather was a setback in our efforts to get the material delivered on time.
take sides
- to join one group against another in a debate or quarrel
I did not take sides in the discussion about buying a new computer.
to the letter
- exactly, nothing done wrong or left undone, perfectly
The union representative followed the contract agreement to the letter.
trump card
- something that is kept back to be used to win success if nothing else works
Although we appeared weak during the negotiations we had some new information to use as our trump card.
undercut (someone)
- to sell your product for less than a competitor
The new discount store is trying hard to undercut other stores in the area.
wind up
- to end, to finish, to stop
The meeting wound up at midnight and we were able to go home.
wrap up
- to finish (a job)
We wrapped up the meeting and went home for the weekend.