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wheel and deal

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wheel and deal

to take part in clever (but sometimes dishonest or immoral) business deals. John loves to wheel and deal in the money markets. Jack got tired of all the wheeling and dealing of big business and retired to run a pub in the country.

See also: and, deal, wheel

wheel and deal

Operate or manipulate for one's own interest, especially in an aggressive or unscrupulous way. For example, Bernie's wheeling and dealing has made him rich but not very popular. This term comes from gambling in the American West, where a wheeler-dealer was a heavy bettor on the roulette wheel and at cards. [Colloquial; c. 1940]

See also: and, deal, wheel

wheel and deal

in. to negotiate, cajole, and connive—aggressively. (see also wheeler-dealer.) If you can’t wheel and deal, you can’t run for elective office.

See also: and, deal, wheel

wheel and deal

Informal

To engage in the advancement of one's own interests, especially in a canny, aggressive, or unscrupulous way.

See also: and, deal, wheel