bargaining chip
Meaning(s)
1. something that can be used to gain an advantage when trying to make a deal or agreement
Popularity
High
Professional
Medium
Social
How to Memorize
use a bargaining chip to secure a favourable deal
Analysis
A 'bargaining chip' can be anything you use as leverage in a situation, in the hope of getting what you want. You can use a 'bargaining chip' to gain an advantage over someone when a deal or contract is being discussed, and it can be a threat of negative action, a promise of positive action, or something physical or financial that you offer. It can also be information that you might use to your advantage in negotiations. This is mostly used in business situations.
Social Examples (Advance)
- The terrorists took a number of hostages and used them as bargaining chips to get what they wanted.
- If you do some research on the car you want to buy when it comes to negotiating the price you will have a few bargaining chips.
Professional Examples (Advance)
- We are going up against notoriously tough negotiators. If we want to secure the best possible deal, we will need to have a valuable bargaining chip.
- Staff used the threat of strike action as a bargaining chip during their negotiations for better pay.