horse-trader
Shrewd bargain maker
A horse-trader is someone who buys and sells horses, but the term usually carries connotations of shrewd, aggressive bargaining.
Horse trading historically involved haggling over animals whose defects might be concealed, so the word extends to any sharp negotiator: He's a real horse-trader when it comes to contracts.
The related noun horse-trading describes tough, calculating negotiation, often in politics: The bill passed after weeks of horse-trading.
Sly, scheming cleverness
- craftyCleverly deceptive
- slyCleverly deceptive
- wilySkilled at deception
- cannyShrewdly practical and cautious
astute · sharp · calculating · scheming · savvy · streetwise · shrewd · clever
Dispute price persistently
- barterDirect goods-for-goods exchange
- swapExchange one for another
- auctionCompetitive public sale
- bidOffer to purchase
sale · purchase · transaction · exchange · marketplace · livestock · stockyard · fairground
Negotiating mutually acceptable terms
- dickeringNegotiating over price
- compromiseAgreement through mutual sacrifice
- concessionYielding a point
- leverageBorrowed capital for amplified returns
bluffing · posturing · standoff · stalemate · deal-making · back-and-forth · counteroffers · hardball
cunning
Sly, scheming cleverness
canny · astute · sharp · calculating · scheming · savvy · streetwise · shrewd · clever · opportunistic
haggle
Dispute price persistently
bid · sale · purchase · transaction · exchange · marketplace · livestock · stockyard · fairground · corral
bargaining
Negotiating mutually acceptable terms
- dickeringNegotiating over price
- compromiseAgreement through mutual sacrifice
- concessionYielding a point
leverage · bluffing · posturing · standoff · stalemate · deal-making · back-and-forth · counteroffers · hardball · give-and-take
horse-traderpushover
Easily defeated opponent
easy mark · soft touch · straight shooter · sucker · patsy
horse, trader, horses, horsed, horsing, horsey, horsy, horseman, horsemanship