Definition

1. Verb:

   • To argue or bargain persistently, especially over the price of something or the terms of an agreement. It involves a back-and-forth discussion where each party tries to get a better deal.
   • To dispute or wrangle over details in a petty or prolonged manner.

2. Noun:

   • An instance of intense argument or bargaining, typically over a price or terms.

Usage and Examples

• Verb:

  • We had to haggle with the vendor for twenty minutes before agreeing on a price for the rug.
  • It's common to haggle over the final cost when buying a used car.
  • They spent the afternoon haggling over the contract's minor clauses.

• Noun:

  • After a long haggle, we finally settled on a fair price.
  • The negotiation turned into a tedious haggle about delivery dates.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• "to haggle over": This is the most common construction, specifying the subject of the dispute.
  • It's pointless to haggle over such a small amount.
• "to haggle with (someone)": Used to specify the other party in the negotiation.
  • I refuse to haggle with someone who isn't acting in good faith.

Variants and Related Words

• Haggler (noun): A person who haggles.
  • He's a tough haggler, so be prepared to negotiate.
• Haggling (noun/gerund): The act or process of haggling.
  • The haggling at the bazaar was intense but good-natured.

Synonyms

• Verb: Bargain, negotiate, dicker, wrangle, quibble.
• Noun: Bargaining, negotiation, wrangle, dispute.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• "Haggle and bargain": A phrase emphasizing the full process of negotiation.
  • At the flea market, you're expected to haggle and bargain.
• "Drive a hard bargain": (Idiom) To negotiate very firmly, making it difficult for the other party. This is a related concept often involving haggling.
  • She drives a hard bargain, so our haggling session lasted an hour.

Noun

1. an instance of intense argument (as in bargaining)

Verb

1. wrangle (over a price, terms of an agreement, etc.)
   • Let's not haggle over a few dollars