Partner A
Easier: Do you enjoy negotiating in your daily life? Why or why not?
How do you prepare for an important negotiation?
More challenging: In what situations might it be better to accept a bad deal rather than walk away?
Jamesleads the live roundsAvalern · by SimmondsB25 min · English
Negotiating in English: vocabulary, dialogue and typical phrases
Editorially responsible: James Simmondspublished 7 Oct 2026AI-generated text (learn more – how we use AI on these pages)
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Question of the day
What should a successful negotiator always know before a meeting begins?
Show the answer – Open the answer to the question of the day
Correct answer: Their bottom line
You can find the answer in the English introduction.
Listen to the introduction
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Transcript
Hi, I'm Theo, and this is a two-minute conversation starter. Today: negotiating prices and terms. In business, you rarely accept the first offer. Whether you are buying software or hiring a service, the goal is to reach an agreement – Jump to the vocabulary entry for reach an agreement that provides mutual benefit – Jump to the vocabulary entry for mutual benefit. But what happens when the other side will not move? Sometimes, you have to make a concession – Jump to the vocabulary entry for make a concession on delivery dates to get a better price. Other times, you can ask the supplier to meet halfway – Jump to the vocabulary entry for meet halfway. A successful negotiator always knows their bottom line – Jump to the vocabulary entry for bottom line before the meeting starts. If the terms are completely unacceptable, you must be prepared to walk away – Jump to the vocabulary entry for walk away. It is not always easy to stay calm under pressure. How do you handle difficult talks? Think about your own experience for a moment. Are you a confident negotiator?
Vocabulary
- reach an agreement/ˌriːtʃ ən əˈɡriː.mənt/
- Meaning: To successfully finish a negotiation with a result both sides accept.
- Example: We hope to reach an agreement by the end of the week.
- mutual benefit/ˌmjuː.tʃu.əl ˈben.ɪ.fɪt/
- Meaning: An advantage that is shared by both sides in a deal.
- Example: A good partnership should provide mutual benefit.
- make a concession/ˌmeɪk ə kənˈseʃ.ən/
- Meaning: To give something up in order to reach a compromise.
- Example: We can make a concession on the price if you order more units.
- meet halfway/ˌmiːt hɑːfˈweɪ/
- Meaning: To compromise by giving up part of what you want.
- Example: They wanted fifty thousand pounds, but we offered thirty thousand, so we decided to meet halfway.
- bottom line/ˌbɒt.əm ˈlaɪn/
- Meaning: The lowest price or worst acceptable outcome that a negotiator will accept.
- Example: I cannot offer a larger discount; this is my bottom line.
- walk away/ˌwɔːk əˈweɪ/
- Meaning: To leave a negotiation without an agreement.
- Example: If they refuse to change the terms, we will have to walk away.
Dialogue
- SarahWe need to reduce the software costs by ten per cent this year.
- DavidI've spoken to the supplier, but they refused to lower the price.
- SarahDid you ask them to meet halfway? Five per cent would be a start.
- DavidI did, but they said their own operating costs have gone up.
- SarahThen we might need to make a concession on the contract length. What if we sign for two years?
- DavidThat could work. It would provide mutual benefit.
- SarahExactly. But if they still refuse, we must be prepared to walk away.
- DavidI'll call them back and see if we can reach an agreement.
Questions for your conversation
Partner B
Easier: Is it easy for you to talk about money? Why or why not?
What's your first move when a supplier says the price is final?
More challenging: How does cultural background influence the way people negotiate in international business?
Partner A
Easier: Have you ever bought something at a market and asked for a lower price? Why or why not?
What advice does a reliable negotiation guide give about using body language to reach an agreement?
More challenging: How might artificial intelligence change the way companies negotiate standard contracts in the future?
Useful phrases
- We would like to propose a compromise.
- Is there any flexibility on the price?
- We are willing to make a concession.
- That is our bottom line.
- Let's meet halfway.
- I am afraid we will have to walk away.
Topic quiz
Five quick questions check vocabulary and listening comprehension.
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