English grammar
Negotiation idioms: meet in the middle, give and take, it's a deal
Meet someone halfway and close a deal, using English negotiation idioms.
From the scene It's a deal
In short
Negotiation idioms: meet in the middle, give and take, not go overboard, won't give an inch, it's a deal!
Your turn
Which one goes with he won't move from his price?
Options: let's not go overboard · let's meet in the middle · he won't give an inch
Show answer
he won't move from his price → he won't give an inch
How it works
To meet in the middle (or meet someone halfway) means both sides move towards each other.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
He says yes! We've (blank) a deal.
Options: struck · hit · beaten
Show answer
He says yes! We've struck a deal.
¡Dice que sí! Hemos llegado a un acuerdo.
Good to know
Give and take describes a negotiation where everyone gives up a little.
Good to know
Not go overboard means not to ask for too much at once, and it's a deal! closes the negotiation once both sides agree.
let's not ask for too much let's not go overboard
Elena
Ten? Dear, let's not go overboard. Nobody's going to budge like that.
¿Diez? Hijo, ni tanto ni tan calvo. Así nadie va a ceder.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Ten? Dear, (blank). Nobody's going to budge like that.
Options: let's meet in the middle · let's not go overboard · he won't give an inch
Show answer
Elena
Ten? Dear, let's not go overboard. Nobody's going to budge like that.
¿Diez? Hijo, ni tanto ni tan calvo. Así nadie va a ceder.
he won't move from his price he won't give an inch
Tomás
He says he won't give an inch. Eighteen, and that's that.
Dice que él no cede. Dieciocho, y ya.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
He says (blank). Eighteen, and that's that.
Options: he won't give an inch · let's not go overboard · let's meet in the middle
Show answer
Tomás
He says he won't give an inch. Eighteen, and that's that.
Dice que él no cede. Dieciocho, y ya.
look for a price between the two let's meet in the middle
Nuria
Let's meet in the middle. Sixteen, for example.
Busca un término medio. Dieciséis, por ejemplo.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank). Sixteen, for example.
Options: Let's not go overboard · He won't give an inch · Let's meet in the middle
Show answer
Nuria
Let's meet in the middle. Sixteen, for example.
Busca un término medio. Dieciséis, por ejemplo.
every negotiation needs both sides to give a little it's all give and take
Your turn
What goes with it's all give and take?
Options: every negotiation needs both sides to give a little · let's not ask for too much · he won't move from his price
Show answer
it's all give and take → every negotiation needs both sides to give a little
the negotiation is settled! it's a deal!
Tomás
It's a deal, Don Chuy! Say hello to your mum.
¡Trato hecho, Don Chuy! Saludos a su mamá.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank), Don Chuy! Say hello to your mum.
Options: It's a deal · Let's not go overboard · He won't give an inch
Show answer
Tomás
It's a deal, Don Chuy! Say hello to your mum.
¡Trato hecho, Don Chuy! Saludos a su mamá.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| let's not ask for too much | let's not go overboard |
|---|---|
| he won't move from his price | he won't give an inch |
| look for a price between the two | let's meet in the middle |
| every negotiation needs both sides to give a little | it's all give and take |
| the negotiation is settled! | it's a deal! |
More lines from the story
- TomásHe says yes! We've struck a deal.¡Dice que sí! Hemos llegado a un acuerdo.
- TomásDon Chuy, it's give and take: a little from me, a little from you... Sixteen?Don Chuy, yo cedo un poco, usted cede otro poco... ¿Dieciséis?