negotiate down

USAGE SUMMARY

"negotiate down" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are discussing a situation in which a better deal is sought through negotiation. For example, "The car dealer was trying to sell the used car for a high price, but I was able to negotiate down to a much more reasonable amount."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

You negotiate down from there".

The New York Times

Bill was asking for $150 each but was willing to negotiate down to at least $125.

The New York Times

Russia needs Germany to negotiate down its Soviet-era debt and invest in its future.

The New York Times - Arts

They bumped their price up to $500,000, knowing they could probably negotiate down, and their options multiplied.

The New York Times

The company's next proposal "cannot be a bargaining position from which to negotiate down," Mr. Grinstein said.

The New York Times

"Any good attorney can save a client thousands of dollars" by identifying taxes and fees that buyers can negotiate down or away.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

He said anyone who got even a very last-minute urge to send them as a holiday gift can call the site's toll-free number to negotiate down-to-the-wire delivery.

The New York Times - Tech

We negotiated down to one cup.

The New York Times - Magazine

Tax demands have been made and negotiated down, but the amounts have risen.

The Economist

Mr. Arena said the price was negotiated down from Citigroup's asking price, but he declined to say by how much.

The New York Times

The price, originally $985,000, had been lowered to $925,000 — over Ms. Giannelli's budget, but maybe it could be negotiated down further.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for a discount, start by researching the fair market value of the item or service to strengthen your position to "negotiate down" effectively.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "negotiate down" implies a unilateral action. It always involves a discussion or bargaining process with another party, not simply deciding to pay less without agreement.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "negotiate down" primarily functions as a verb indicating the act of reducing something, typically a price or debt, through discussion and bargaining. Ludwig confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "negotiate down" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that describes the act of reducing a price or demand through bargaining. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Predominantly found in news and business contexts, the phrase maintains a neutral tone, making it suitable for various communicative scenarios. When using "negotiate down", remember that it implies a collaborative discussion rather than a unilateral decision. For alternative expressions, consider "bargain for a lower price" or "secure a price reduction" to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bargain for a lower price

Focuses on the action of bargaining to achieve a reduced price.

haggle for a discount

Emphasizes the haggling aspect of getting a discount.

secure a price reduction

Highlights the act of successfully obtaining a lower price.

work towards a compromise

Focuses on finding a mutually acceptable agreement that involves lowering demands.

arrange a reduction in price

Emphasizes arranging a lower price through negotiation.

obtain a better deal

Highlights the act of getting a more advantageous agreement.

reach a lower agreement

Focuses on coming to an agreement with reduced terms.

find a more favorable rate

Emphasizes finding a better price or rate through negotiation.

drive the price down

Focuses on the action of forcefully lowering the price.

reduce the asking price

Specifically focuses on reducing the initial price requested.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "negotiate down" in a sentence?

Use "negotiate down" when you want to describe the process of reducing a price, debt, or demand through discussion. For example: "I was able to "negotiate down" the price of the car after pointing out some minor flaws".

What are some alternatives to "negotiate down"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "bargain for a lower price", "haggle for a discount", or "secure a price reduction" as alternatives to "negotiate down".

Is it grammatically correct to say "negotiate down"?

Yes, "negotiate down" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrasal verb in English, as validated by linguistic analysis.

In what situations is it appropriate to use the phrase "negotiate down"?

The phrase "negotiate down" is appropriate in contexts where you are discussing the act of reducing a price, debt, or other demand through a process of discussion and bargaining.