horse trading

noun

the act or fact of conducting a shrewd exchange or engaging in a horse trade; bargaining.

horse trading

noun

hard bargaining to obtain equal concessions by both sides in a dispute

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Word History and Origins

Origin of horse trading¹

An Americanism dating back to 1820–30

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Idioms and Phrases

Negotiation marked by hard bargaining and shrewd exchange. For example, The restaurant owner is famous for his horse trading; he's just exchanged a month of free dinners for a month of free television commercials. This expression alludes to the notorious shrewdness of horse traders, who literally bought and sold horses. [c. 1820]

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

"Party discipline takes second place where there is constituency money involved," says Prof Logsdon, a seasoned watcher of the horse trading that goes on with space politics in Congress.

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He’s doing nothing to alter the predation of the system, only horse trading exemptions from it.

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"The country does not need more political horse trading, but action."

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The SNP leadership campaign's been a short, sharp affair - and it’s already shown John Swinney's skill in horse trading.

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After the election, lawmakers form camps around hotels in the capital Honiara where horse trading takes place to persuade a majority to back various candidates for prime minister.

From

horse trader horse trailer

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