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
Iran perceives that Russia has previously used it as a bargaining chip in its dealings with the United States, ready to throw it aside when convenient.
—
Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 19 June 2025
Yesterday, Trump told reporters on Air Force One that China was holding up the sale, suggesting that China may have an upper hand in TikTok negotiations, and perhaps TikTok is losing its sheen as a US bargaining chip in Trump's bigger trade war.
—ArsTechnica, 18 June 2025
President Trump has also shaken the Europeans by using energy as a bargaining chip in trade negotiations, making some European countries realize that their reliance on the U.S. may be a vulnerability.
—Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
But this could dramatically change how citizens participate in society because work is most people’s primary bargaining chip.
—Luke Drago, Time, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for bargaining chip
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Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 19 June 2025
Yesterday, Trump told reporters on Air Force One that China was holding up the sale, suggesting that China may have an upper hand in TikTok negotiations, and perhaps TikTok is losing its sheen as a US bargaining chip in Trump's bigger trade war.
—ArsTechnica, 18 June 2025
President Trump has also shaken the Europeans by using energy as a bargaining chip in trade negotiations, making some European countries realize that their reliance on the U.S. may be a vulnerability.
—Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
But this could dramatically change how citizens participate in society because work is most people’s primary bargaining chip.
—Luke Drago, Time, 30 May 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 3 Jul. 2025.
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