bargaining chip
noun
: something that can be used to gain an advantage when trying to make a deal or an agreement
The workers used the threat of a strike as a bargaining chip in their negotiations.
Examples of bargaining chip in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Over Washington and Havana’s largely fruitless attempts at diplomacy during the Cold War, both parties considered the base as a bargaining chip of sorts, a leverage to pull in the interest of military de-escalation or possible normalization of diplomatic relations.
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Miriam Pensack, The Dial, 30 Sep. 2025
Fetterman has lampooned Democrats for using a potential shutdown as a bargaining chip, something the party has regularly condemned Republicans for doing in the past, while Paul blasted Republicans for wanting to continue with Biden-era spending levels.
—Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 17 Sep. 2025
The news also doesn't change Boeing's status as a key bargaining chip in trade talks.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 12 Sep. 2025
When the Newsom administration used telework as a bargaining chip in the most recent round of negotiations, some labor groups interpreted that as a major shift — one that served labor in its fight for better hybrid work protections moving forward.
—William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 19 Aug. 2025
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Miriam Pensack, The Dial, 30 Sep. 2025
Fetterman has lampooned Democrats for using a potential shutdown as a bargaining chip, something the party has regularly condemned Republicans for doing in the past, while Paul blasted Republicans for wanting to continue with Biden-era spending levels.
—Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 17 Sep. 2025
The news also doesn't change Boeing's status as a key bargaining chip in trade talks.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 12 Sep. 2025
When the Newsom administration used telework as a bargaining chip in the most recent round of negotiations, some labor groups interpreted that as a major shift — one that served labor in its fight for better hybrid work protections moving forward.
—William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bargaining chip
Cite this Entry
“Bargaining chip.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bargaining%20chip. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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