bargain
♦ bar|gain /b'ɑːrgɪn/ (bargains bargaining bargained)
1 [N-COUNT]
Something that is a bargain is good value for money, usually because it has been sold at a lower price than normal.
At this price the wine is a bargain...
2 [N-COUNT]
A bargain is an agreement, especially a formal business agreement, in which two people or groups agree what each of them will do, pay, or receive.
I'll make a bargain with you. I'll play hostess if you'll include Matthew in your guest-list...
The treaty was based on a bargain between the French and German governments.
= deal
3 [VERB] V with n, V
When people bargain with each other, they discuss what each of them will do, pay, or receive.
They prefer to bargain with individual clients, for cash...
Shop in small local markets and don't be afraid to bargain.
= negotiate
● bargainer [N-COUNT]
A union bargainer said that those jobs have been saved.
● bargaining [N-UNCOUNT] oft supp N
The government has called for sensible pay bargaining.
4 [PHRASE] V, ADJ, and N inflect
If people drive a hard bargain, they argue with determination in order to achieve a deal which is favourable to themselves.
...a law firm with a reputation for driving a hard bargain.
5 [PHRASE] cl PHR
You use into the bargain when mentioning an additional quantity, feature, fact, or action, to emphasize the fact that it is also involved. You can also say in the bargain in American English.
This machine is designed to save you effort, and keep your work surfaces tidy into the bargain...
She is rich. Now you say she is a beauty into the bargain.
6 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you keep your side of the bargain, you do what you have promised or arranged to do.
Dealing with this dictator wasn't an option. He wouldn't have kept his side of the bargain.bar|gain base|ment
also bargain-basement
[ADJ] ADJ n
If you refer to something as a bargain basement thing, you mean that it is cheap and not very good quality.
...a bargain-basement rock musical.bargain for
or bargain on
[PHRASAL VERB] usu with brd-neg, V P n
If you have not bargained for or bargained on something that happens, you did not expect it to happen and so feel surprised or worried by it.
The effects of this policy were more than the government had bargained for...bar|gain hunt|er (bargain hunters)
also bargain-hunter
[N-COUNT]
A bargain hunter is someone who is looking for goods that are value for money, usually because they are on sale at a lower price than normal.plea bar|gain (plea bargains plea bargaining plea bargained)
1 [N-COUNT]
In some legal systems, a plea bargain is an agreement that, if an accused person says they are guilty, they will be charged with a less serious crime or will receive a less severe punishment.
A plea bargain was offered by the state assuring her that she would not go to prison.
2 [VERB] V
If an accused person plea bargains, they accept a plea bargain.
More and more criminals will agree to plea-bargain.
● plea bargaining [N-UNCOUNT]
...the introduction of a system of plea bargaining.
1 [N-COUNT]
Something that is a bargain is good value for money, usually because it has been sold at a lower price than normal.
At this price the wine is a bargain...
2 [N-COUNT]
A bargain is an agreement, especially a formal business agreement, in which two people or groups agree what each of them will do, pay, or receive.
I'll make a bargain with you. I'll play hostess if you'll include Matthew in your guest-list...
The treaty was based on a bargain between the French and German governments.
= deal
3 [VERB] V with n, V
When people bargain with each other, they discuss what each of them will do, pay, or receive.
They prefer to bargain with individual clients, for cash...
Shop in small local markets and don't be afraid to bargain.
= negotiate
● bargainer [N-COUNT]
A union bargainer said that those jobs have been saved.
● bargaining [N-UNCOUNT] oft supp N
The government has called for sensible pay bargaining.
4 [PHRASE] V, ADJ, and N inflect
If people drive a hard bargain, they argue with determination in order to achieve a deal which is favourable to themselves.
...a law firm with a reputation for driving a hard bargain.
5 [PHRASE] cl PHR
You use into the bargain when mentioning an additional quantity, feature, fact, or action, to emphasize the fact that it is also involved. You can also say in the bargain in American English.
This machine is designed to save you effort, and keep your work surfaces tidy into the bargain...
She is rich. Now you say she is a beauty into the bargain.
6 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you keep your side of the bargain, you do what you have promised or arranged to do.
Dealing with this dictator wasn't an option. He wouldn't have kept his side of the bargain.bar|gain base|ment
also bargain-basement
[ADJ] ADJ n
If you refer to something as a bargain basement thing, you mean that it is cheap and not very good quality.
...a bargain-basement rock musical.bargain for
or bargain on
[PHRASAL VERB] usu with brd-neg, V P n
If you have not bargained for or bargained on something that happens, you did not expect it to happen and so feel surprised or worried by it.
The effects of this policy were more than the government had bargained for...bar|gain hunt|er (bargain hunters)
also bargain-hunter
[N-COUNT]
A bargain hunter is someone who is looking for goods that are value for money, usually because they are on sale at a lower price than normal.plea bar|gain (plea bargains plea bargaining plea bargained)
1 [N-COUNT]
In some legal systems, a plea bargain is an agreement that, if an accused person says they are guilty, they will be charged with a less serious crime or will receive a less severe punishment.
A plea bargain was offered by the state assuring her that she would not go to prison.
2 [VERB] V
If an accused person plea bargains, they accept a plea bargain.
More and more criminals will agree to plea-bargain.
● plea bargaining [N-UNCOUNT]
...the introduction of a system of plea bargaining.