wheeler-dealers
Fast-talking deal-makers
Wheeler-dealers are people who engage in shrewd, sometimes unscrupulous business dealings—making deals, trading favors, and maneuvering for advantage.
The term suggests energetic hustling that may skirt ethical boundaries: The city council was full of wheeler-dealers looking out for themselves.
A single person is a wheeler-dealer; the activity is wheeler-dealing.
Those who deceive for profit
- operatorsThose who manage equipment
- schemersCrafty plot makers
- smooth talkersPersuasive, often insincere speakers
- fast talkersVerbally quick persuaders
shady · conniving · cunning · crafty · shrewd · wily · sharp · unscrupulous
Paid political persuaders
- power brokersHidden political influencers
- patronageSupporter's financial backing
- croniesClose, often questionable associates
- insidersThose with special access
fixers · kingmakers · operatives · dealmaking · horse-trading · machine politics · glad-handing · networkers
Those who negotiate agreements
- negotiatorsThose who arrange agreements
- tradersProfessional buyers and sellers
- hustlersThose who deceive for profit
- entrepreneursThose who launch ventures
brokers · middlemen · operators · fixers · opportunists · speculators · promoters · tycoons
hustlers
Those who deceive for profit
- operatorsThose who manage equipment
- schemersCrafty plot makers
- smooth talkersPersuasive, often insincere speakers
fast talkers · shady · conniving · cunning · crafty · shrewd · wily · sharp · unscrupulous · manipulators
lobbyists
Paid political persuaders
- power brokersHidden political influencers
- patronageSupporter's financial backing
- croniesClose, often questionable associates
insiders · fixers · kingmakers · operatives · dealmaking · horse-trading · machine politics · glad-handing · networkers · connected
dealmakers
Those who negotiate agreements
- negotiatorsThose who arrange agreements
- tradersProfessional buyers and sellers
- hustlersThose who deceive for profit
entrepreneurs · brokers · middlemen · operators · fixers · opportunists · speculators · promoters · tycoons · moguls
- power playerspower brokers, insiders, dealmakers, influencers, kingmakers