hard bargain

Syllable breakdown

Dictionary meaning

a negotiation conducted with tenacity, firmness, and a refusal to yield easily on price or terms, often to the point of making the process difficult or uncomfortable for the other party; to drive a hard bargain is to extract the maximum concession from a counterpart through persistent pressure, careful preparation, and willingness to walk away if one's minimum requirements are not met; the phrase implies skill and determination rather than dishonesty, distinguishing tough negotiation from deception; in diplomatic and commercial contexts, driving a hard bargain is often admired as a sign of effective advocacy for one's interests, though it may strain the relationship with the counterpart