deal breaker

Or deal-break·er
Or deal·break·er

[deel brey-ker]

noun

1. an aspect, condition, or item that would not be accepted by a party to a business transaction or political deal.

   Prior to committing to a partnership, the corporation needs to have a clear vision of deal breakers versus where they are willing to be flexible.

2. something that would cause a person to abandon a plan, mutual arrangement, agreement, or relationship.

   Sorry, but entering into marriage with a partner who has hefty debt or terrible credit is definitely a deal breaker.

Word History and Origins

Origin of deal breaker¹

First recorded in 1975–80; deal ¹ ( def. ) + breaker ¹ ( def. )