bargain away
C1Formal, journalistic, political, business; used in critical or analytical contexts.
Definition
Meaning
To give up or lose something valuable (often a right, principle, or advantage) in exchange for something perceived as less valuable, usually as part of a negotiation or compromise.
To thoughtlessly or carelessly relinquish something of importance, often under pressure or without fully considering the long-term consequences. Can imply a poor deal where the loss outweighs the gain.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Inherently negative connotation. The object being 'bargained away' is typically an intangible asset like sovereignty, rights, freedoms, privacy, or environmental protections. The phrase critiques the act of negotiation itself as misguided or harmful.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is nearly identical in both varieties. Slightly more common in British political journalism.
Connotations
Strong connotation of foolishness, short-sightedness, or betrayal of principles for immediate gain.
Frequency
Low-frequency phrasal verb, primarily found in written commentary and formal speech.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] bargained away [Direct Object] (for [something])[Subject] bargained [Direct Object] awayVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Sell one's birthright for a mess of pottage (conceptual parallel)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Critiquing a deal where long-term value is exchanged for short-term profit.
Academic
Analyzing historical treaties or political compromises where fundamental rights were lost.
Everyday
Rare. Might be used hyperbolically ("You're bargaining away your free time for that extra pay?").
Technical
Not typical.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The government was accused of bargaining away national sovereignty for vague trade promises.
- He felt the union leaders had bargained their members' job security away too easily.
American English
- Critics argue the treaty bargains away too much environmental protection for corporate access.
- Don't bargain away your privacy for the convenience of a free app.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The opposition claimed the prime minister had bargained away the country's fishing rights.
- In the negotiations, they were careful not to bargain away any core employee benefits.
- Historians note that the peace settlement, while ending the immediate conflict, effectively bargained away the autonomy of the region for generations.
- The CEO was criticized for bargaining away the company's ethical standards in pursuit of a merger.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a trader at a market (bargaining) happily handing over a solid gold watch (something valuable) in exchange for a cheap plastic toy (something trivial) — they 'bargained away' real value.
Conceptual Metaphor
NEGOTIATION IS A GAMBLE (where you can lose your core assets). PRINCIPLES ARE COMMODITIES (that can be poorly traded).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не переводить буквально как "торговаться прочь". Близкие концепты: "разменять" (что-то важное), "поступиться" (принципами), "продать" (в переносном смысле).
Common Mistakes
- Using it for a good deal (e.g., 'I bargained away a great car' – INCORRECT). Confusing with 'bargain for' (to expect). Using a tangible object as the direct object (e.g., 'bargain away a house' sounds odd unless it's a metaphorical 'home' or heritage).
Practice
Quiz
In which scenario is 'bargain away' used correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Almost never. It carries a strongly negative evaluation, implying a bad deal or a loss of something important.
'Compromise' is neutral, meaning to find a middle ground. 'Bargain away' is a specific, negative type of compromise where you give up something fundamental or valuable, often suggesting the compromise was unwise or too great.
Overwhelmingly abstract. It is used with intangible concepts like rights, freedoms, principles, sovereignty, and future advantages.
Yes, it is a separable phrasal verb. You can say 'bargain away our rights' or 'bargain our rights away'. The meaning is identical.