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drive a hard bargain

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drive a hard bargain

to work hard to negotiate prices or agreements in one's own favor. All right, sir, you drive a hard bargain. I'll sell you this car for $12,450. You drive a hard bargain, Jane, but I'll sign the contract.

See also: bargain, drive, hard

drive a hard bargain

to make someone agree to an arrangement that benefits you The bank was able to drive a hard bargain because the company badly needed cash.

See also: bargain, drive, hard

drive a hard bargain

to demand a lot or refuse to give much when making an agreement with someone I'm impressed that you got ￡2000 for that car. You certainly drive a hard bargain.

See also: bargain, drive, hard

drive a hard bargain

Be severe in negotiating a transaction, make an agreement to one's advantage. For example, It's more than I planned to pay, but you drive a hard bargain. This expression, first recorded in 1836, uses the verb drive in the sense of "forcefully carry through."

See also: bargain, drive, hard