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THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE

Drive a hard bargain

Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.

01 / UNDERSTAND

Meaning in plain English

To negotiate firmly to get terms that are strongly in your favour.

02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT

The expression in a sentence

  1. The buyer drove a hard bargain and secured free delivery.

03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING

Quick idiom quiz

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Can you recall the expression?

Which expression from this lesson matches this meaning?

To negotiate firmly to get terms that are strongly in your favour.
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Drive a hard bargain — To negotiate firmly to get terms that are strongly in your favour.

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To negotiate firmly to get terms that are strongly in your favour.

Compare: The buyer drove a hard bargain and secured free delivery.

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More ways to understand and use it

When to use it

Use it informally when someone pushes for a good price or favourable conditions. It may express respect or mild frustration.

More examples in context

  • Our supplier drives a hard bargain over payment dates.
  • You drive a hard bargain, but I can include the stand at that price.

Usage note

The past tense is drove, and the participle is driven. A hard bargain is tough negotiation, not automatically dishonest dealing.

A short conversation

A: Could you lower the price and include installation?
B: You drive a hard bargain. I can include installation if we keep the price.
A: That sounds fair.

One more practice question

Who is driving a hard bargain?

A. A buyer negotiating firmly for a lower price and better terms.
B. A buyer accepting the first offer without discussion.

Check your answer

A. The buyer is pushing for an advantageous agreement.

Related lessons

Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.

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