dealbreaker
Non-negotiable fatal flaw
A dealbreaker is something that causes a negotiation, agreement, or relationship to fail.
In business contexts, it's a condition one party cannot accept: The salary was fine, but no remote work was a dealbreaker.
In dating, dealbreakers are traits or behaviors that make someone unacceptable as a partner: Smoking is a dealbreaker for me.
Also spelled deal-breaker or deal breaker.
Situation without resolution
- stalemateMutual obstruction preventing progress
- deadlockMutual blocking, no progress
- showstopperSpectacular crowd-pleasing performance
- sticking pointUnresolved issue blocking progress
standoff · breakdown · walkaway · collapse · gridlock · logjam · snag · nonstarter
Unable to function together
- red flagIndicator of danger
- infidelityDisloyalty to a partner
- betrayalBreaking of trust
- cheatingDeceptive rule-breaking
dishonesty · trust issues · abuse · manipulation · controlling · toxicity · divorce · resentment
Total, without qualification
- uncompromisingRefusing to yield ground
- inflexibleUnable to bend
- non-starterDoomed idea or plan
- must-haveIndispensable thing
line in the sand · firm · unyielding · adamant · unwavering · unbending · intransigent · immutable
Grounds for rejection
- background checkInvestigation of someone's history
- referenceDirecting attention elsewhere
- credentialProof of qualification
- relocationPermanent change of residence
availability · overqualified · underqualified · no-show · attitude · professionalism · portfolio · interview
impasse
Situation without resolution
- stalemateMutual obstruction preventing progress
- deadlockMutual blocking, no progress
- showstopperSpectacular crowd-pleasing performance
sticking point · standoff · breakdown · walkaway · collapse · gridlock · logjam · snag · nonstarter · ultimatum
incompatibility
Unable to function together
- red flagIndicator of danger
- infidelityDisloyalty to a partner
- betrayalBreaking of trust
cheating · dishonesty · trust issues · abuse · manipulation · controlling · toxicity · divorce · resentment · jealousy
absolute
Total, without qualification
- uncompromisingRefusing to yield ground
- inflexibleUnable to bend
- non-starterDoomed idea or plan
must-have · line in the sand · firm · unyielding · adamant · unwavering · unbending · intransigent · immutable · zero tolerance
disqualifier
Grounds for rejection
- background checkInvestigation of someone's history
- referenceDirecting attention elsewhere
- credentialProof of qualification
relocation · availability · overqualified · underqualified · no-show · attitude · professionalism · portfolio · interview · vetting
- negotiationbargaining, bargain, negotiate, mediation, compromise
- problemsproblem, issue, difficulty, complication, trouble
- red flagsred flags, warning signs, warning, caution, alarm
- Non-negotiablesmust-have, bottom line, red line, hard limit, non-negotiable
- turn-offsick, red flag, red flags, gross, eww
- disqualifierviolation, cheating, false start, doping, failed test
dealbreakerdealmaker
One who negotiates agreements
selling point · sweetener · clincher · incentive · enticement
dealbreakernon-issue
Matter of no importance
minor flaw · minor detail · triviality · small potatoes · nitpick
dealbreakerdealmaker
One who negotiates agreements
must-have · green flag · redeeming quality · saving grace · keeper