make no deal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make no deal" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where one is indicating a refusal to come to an agreement or arrangement. Example: "After much negotiation, the parties decided to make no deal and walk away from the table."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Iran will make no deal.

The Guardian

"If they catch me, I will make no deal.

The New York Times

And it is adamant that it will make no deal over Ceuta and Melilla: after all, Morocco did not exist when it nabbed them in the 15th century.

The Economist

David Frum, a conservative Republican who can't seem to break his atavistic attachment to empirical reality, recalls how it all began: At the beginning of this process we made a strategic decision: unlike, say, Democrats in 2001 when President Bush proposed his first tax cut, we would make no deal with the administration.

The New Yorker

Cowdrey, meanwhile, proposed flying to South Africa himself to safeguard the tour but the South African minister Ben Schoeman said that D'Oliveira had been chosen because of politics and that South Africa would make no deal to let him play.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

For now, all of the mainstream parties say they will make no deals with the Sweden Democrats.

The New York Times

And the new Republican majority in the House comes to power with a sour sentiment from their electorate: make no deals and take no prisoners.

The New York Times

Speaking on the heels of his trip to Georgia and Ukraine, Mr. Biden said flatly that the Obama administration would make no deals and accept no compromises with the Kremlin in exchange for better relations.

The New York Times

You didn't make no deals with no filth!" "I did!

Vice

Bryan, who remained at his hotel, sent word to the Nebraska delegation to make no deals on his behalf.

Wikipedia

"We made no deal with the feds," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, consider alternatives like "decline to agree" or "reject the proposal" if a more nuanced tone is needed.

Common error

Avoid using "make no deal" in highly formal or academic contexts where more sophisticated or nuanced language is expected. Opt for alternatives like "decline to ratify the agreement" or "did not reach a consensus".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make no deal" functions as a declaration of intent, specifically indicating a refusal to enter into an agreement or compromise. Ludwig confirms this is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "make no deal" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to communicate a firm decision against reaching an agreement or compromise. As Ludwig AI states, it effectively conveys a refusal to negotiate. While its register is generally neutral, it is most commonly found in news and media contexts. For more formal situations, consider alternatives like "decline to agree" or "reject the proposal". Its usage is infrequent but consistent with its intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

refuse to negotiate

Emphasizes the act of refusing to engage in negotiation.

decline to agree

Focuses on the decision not to reach an agreement.

reject the proposal

Highlights the act of turning down a specific offer or plan.

abandon negotiations

Indicates a complete cessation of discussions.

walk away from the table

Suggests a decisive withdrawal from negotiations.

no compromise

Stresses an unwillingness to concede any points.

stand firm

Emphasizes maintaining a resolute position.

take a hard line

Suggests a rigid and uncompromising approach.

remain unyielding

Highlights a lack of flexibility or willingness to change.

refuse to budge

Indicates a strong unwillingness to compromise or change one's position.

FAQs

How can I use "make no deal" in a sentence?

You can use "make no deal" to express a firm decision against reaching an agreement, such as, "After the negotiations failed, the company decided to "make no deal" and pursue other options."

What are some alternatives to "make no deal"?

Alternatives include phrases like "refuse to negotiate", "decline to agree", or "reject the proposal", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "make no deal" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "make no deal" might be considered too informal for certain academic or professional contexts. Consider using more formal alternatives like "decline to ratify the agreement" or "did not reach a consensus".

What does it mean to "walk away from the table" instead of "make no deal"?

To "walk away from the table" suggests a more active and decisive withdrawal from negotiations, while "make no deal" simply states that an agreement was not reached. The former implies a deliberate action, whereas the latter is a statement of outcome.