horsetrading
Shrewd deal-making
Horsetrading is hard bargaining involving mutual concessions, often with an implication of shrewd dealing or behind-the-scenes negotiation.
The term evokes the haggling once common when buying and selling horses, where each party tried to get the better deal: The budget passed only after weeks of horsetrading between party leaders.
Also spelled horse-trading or horse trading.
Negotiating mutually acceptable terms
- barterDirect goods-for-goods exchange
- hagglingNegotiating a lower price
- dickeringNegotiating over price
- wranglingLengthy, contentious disputing
back-and-forth · parley · give-and-take · quid-pro-quo · concession · leverage · logrolling · arm-twisting
Trading political support mutually
- earmarkingAllocating for specific purpose
- backroomPrivate space for dealings
- coalition-buildingForming multi-party alliances
- lobbyingAdvocating to decision-makers
filibuster · bipartisanship · concession · patronage · gerrymandering · quid-pro-quo · caucus · brinksmanship
Intermediate position between extremes
- settlementResolved dispute or colony
- agreementShared position between parties
- concessionYielding a point
- adjustmentAlteration to improve fit
resolution · accord · give-and-take · détente · reconciliation · accommodation · understanding · mediation
Skillful directional control
- gambitRisky opening for advantage
- ployCalculated deceptive tactic
- bluffingDeceiving about one's position
- posturingInsincere behavior for effect
brinkmanship · scheming · positioning · leverage · shrewdness · cunning · outmaneuvering · counteroffers
Accepting things as they are
- expediencyPrioritizing practicality over ethics
- practicalityQuality of being useful
- shrewdnessKeen practical judgment
- hardheadednessInflexible persistence in opinion
unsentimental · no-nonsense · calculated · worldliness · clear-eyed · transactional · utilitarian · opportunism
bargaining
Negotiating mutually acceptable terms
- barterDirect goods-for-goods exchange
- hagglingNegotiating a lower price
- dickeringNegotiating over price
wrangling · back-and-forth · parley · give-and-take · quid-pro-quo · concession · leverage · logrolling · arm-twisting · chaffering
logrolling
Trading political support mutually
- earmarkingAllocating for specific purpose
- backroomPrivate space for dealings
- coalition-buildingForming multi-party alliances
lobbying · filibuster · bipartisanship · concession · patronage · gerrymandering · quid-pro-quo · caucus · brinksmanship · appropriations
middle-ground
Intermediate position between extremes
- settlementResolved dispute or colony
- agreementShared position between parties
- concessionYielding a point
adjustment · resolution · accord · give-and-take · détente · reconciliation · accommodation · understanding · mediation · arbitration
maneuvering
Skillful directional control
- gambitRisky opening for advantage
- ployCalculated deceptive tactic
- bluffingDeceiving about one's position
posturing · brinkmanship · scheming · positioning · leverage · shrewdness · cunning · outmaneuvering · counteroffers · hardball
realism
Accepting things as they are
- expediencyPrioritizing practicality over ethics
- practicalityQuality of being useful
- shrewdnessKeen practical judgment
hardheadedness · unsentimental · no-nonsense · calculated · worldliness · clear-eyed · transactional · utilitarian · opportunism · flexibility
horsetradingtake-it-or-leave-it
Offer without compromise
sticker price · flat rate · list price · set price · firm offer
trade, horse, trader, trading, horses, traded, trades, tradable, horsetrade