bargaining chip

noun

1. something, as a concession or inducement, that can be used in negotiating.

Word History and Origins

Origin of bargaining chip¹

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

But he didn’t mince words in describing how airlines became a bargaining chip during the shutdown negotiations.

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They have been charged with spying, though the BBC was previously told the East Sussex couple were being used as "bargaining chips" between Iran's government and the West.

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The natural resource became an important bargaining chip in trade negotiations between the U.S. and China, as the U.S. is heavily reliant on China to supply rare earth minerals.

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The claim sent a warning to the West about risks of escalation in Ukraine and could yield a bargaining chip in potential arms negotiations with Washington.

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China processes around 90% of the world's rare earths, which go into everything from solar panels to smartphones, making supply of them to US manufacturers a key bargaining chip.

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Related Words

• leverage