Page 69 - EAA 2nd ed-WithCoverVerso

Vocabulary

Here are some idiomatic expressions often used in a negotiation. Study them and practice

with the next activity.
Idiomatic Expression related to negotiation

bend over backwards [be] in the bag
to make every effort to achieve something, certain/sure to be won, achieved, or
especially to be fair or helpful obtained

cave in to play hardball
to submit under pressure, to give in to be firm and determined in order to get
what you want
call the shots
to be the person who controls a situation [be] on the same page
and/or makes the decisions to come to an agreement or to have a similar
stance in deciding things
come in high/low
to charge too much/too little, to ask for too a hard-nosed [one]
high/ low price someone who is tough, stubborn, or
uncompromising
get the short end of the stick
to be in a disadvantaged situation, to suffer stand on [one’s] ground
the bad effects of something to refuse to back down, insist on one’s
position
has a card up her/his sleeve
to have a strategy kept secret and in reserve tie up loose ends
for use when needed finalizing all the remaining small details

[be] on the fence give some ground
undecided; not able to make a decision making a concession

Below is a dialogue between two business colleagues. Read and fill in the blanks with the most suitable
idiomatic expression to complete the missing parts.

Mr. Derek : Thank you for the presentation, it was such a great product. However, I’m afraid we
have some left (i) ……………………………….. that needs to be resolved.
Ms. Claren : Sure, feel free to let us know to pull this through. We’ll try to (ii) ……………………………..
to settle things.
Mr. Derek : You see, allow me to be frank. You (iii) …………………………… with your prices. And I’m
afraid you have to get it lower for us to agree.

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English for Executive Administrative Assistant