Definition

1. Noun:
   • Negotiation accompanied by mutual concessions and shrewd bargaining: The act of negotiating in a clever, often hard-nosed way, where each party makes concessions to reach a deal. This sense is often used in political or business contexts.
   • The swapping of horses (accompanied by much bargaining): The original, literal meaning referring to the act of trading horses, which historically involved intense and skillful negotiation over the value and qualities of the animals.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The final bill was a result of intense horse trading between the two political parties. (This shows the figurative use in politics.)
  • The old-fashioned horse trading at the county fair involved a lot of haggling and inspection of the animals. (This illustrates the original, literal meaning.)

Advanced Usage

• "To engage in horse trading": To participate in shrewd, give-and-take negotiations.
  • The union leaders engaged in some tough horse trading with management before agreeing to the contract.

Variants and Related Words

• Horse-trader (noun): A person who is skilled at making shrewd deals or negotiations.
  • He was known in the senate as a master horse-trader.

Synonyms

• Bargaining: The negotiation of the terms of a transaction.
• Haggling: Disputing or bargaining persistently, especially over the cost of something.
• Wheeling and dealing: Engaging in clever, and sometimes slightly dishonest, business or political negotiations.

Related Phrases

• Backroom dealing: Secret or private negotiations, often of a political nature, which can involve elements of horse trading.
  • The compromise was reached not on the floor but through backroom dealing.

Related Idioms

• "To drive a hard bargain": To negotiate effectively and firmly, ensuring you get favorable terms. This is a key skill in horse trading.
  • Be careful when negotiating with her; she's known to drive a hard bargain.

Noun

1. negotiation accompanied by mutual concessions and shrewd bargaining
2. the swapping of horses (accompanied by much bargaining)