log-roll

Definition

1. Verb (intransitive):

   • To engage in mutual back-scratching: "log-roll" means to exchange favors, especially in politics or literary criticism, by supporting each other's projects or works for mutual benefit.
   • To trade support: In legislative contexts, it refers to the practice of politicians agreeing to vote for each other's bills.

2. Verb (transitive, American English):

   • To push through by logrolling: "log-roll" can mean to secure the passage of a bill or proposal through mutual political agreements.

Usage Examples

• Intransitive verb:

  • The two congressmen often log-roll to advance their pet projects. (They trade votes to support each other's initiatives.)
  • Literary critics sometimes log-roll by praising each other's books in reviews. (They exchange favorable reviews for mutual promotion.)

• Transitive verb:

  • They managed to log-roll the controversial bill through committee. (They used mutual support to pass the bill.)

Advanced Usage

• "log-roll" as a political tactic: In legislative bodies, log-rolling is a strategic practice where lawmakers exchange support for each other's proposals to build coalitions.

  • The infrastructure bill was log-rolled through the senate with promises of future support. (The bill passed due to mutual agreements.)

• "log-roll" in academia: The term can describe the exchange of favorable peer reviews or citations among scholars.

  • The journal editors accused the authors of log-rolling to inflate their citation counts. (They were suspected of exchanging favorable citations.)

Variants and Related Words

• Logrolling (noun): the practice of exchanging favors or support, especially in politics.

  • Logrolling is common in legislatures where representatives need allies. (The practice of mutual support.)

• Logroller (noun): a person who engages in logrolling.

  • He is a known logroller who always trades votes for his projects. (A politician who practices mutual back-scratching.)

Synonyms

• Back-scratching: the exchange of favors or influence for mutual benefit.
• Horse-trading: intense political negotiation involving compromises and exchanges.
• Mutual promotion: reciprocal support, especially in professional or literary circles.

Phrasal Verbs

• Log-roll through: to pass or achieve something by logrolling.
  • They log-rolled the budget through the committee without debate. (They secured its passage through mutual agreements.)

Related Idioms

• "You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours": an idiom meaning to exchange favors or support mutually.

  • Their alliance is based on the principle of "you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours." (They engage in logrolling.)

• "Quid pro quo": a Latin phrase meaning a favor or advantage granted in return for something.

  • The log-roll was a clear quid pro quo between the two senators. (A direct exchange of favors.)