bargain for

British  

verb

1. (intr, preposition) to expect; anticipate (a style of behaviour, change in fortune, etc)

   he got more than he bargained for

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bargain for Idioms  

1. Also, bargain over . Negotiate about something, usually a price. For example, In open-air markets it is standard practice to bargain for the best price . [Late 1300s]

2. Also, bargain on . Expect, be prepared for, as in In planning the picnic, we hadn't bargained for bad weather , or I hadn't bargained on John's coming along . [c. 1800] For a synonym, see count on .

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Example Sentences

That implies it would be a bargain for investors who put profits first, with a similar view emerging for Amazon, with its PEG ratio of 1.9, versus Walmart at 5.76 and Costco at 5.2.

From MarketWatch

Its cheap oil has historically been a better bargain for U.S. refineries than the light, sweet oil produced by U.S. frackers.

From The Wall Street Journal

The risk is that a conflict drags on or spirals into something the U.S. didn’t bargain for.

From The Wall Street Journal

“It’s such a good bargain. For your gold, I shall give you …” He reached behind a stack of straw, and the whole pile shook, as though an animal was struggling to get out.

From Literature

“It would take a lot out of a person, even their own control over their magic. You were unable to demand a fair bargain for your gold. You couldn’t even name a price.”

From Literature