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 )

Example Sentences

Being completely honest with someone, being able to f-ck up and know that’s not a deal breaker—it’s such a relief.

From Time

The lamp does fully detach from the band, so be mindful if that’s a deal breaker.

From Outside Online

The issues now holding up the mission should not be deal breakers, the source adds.

From Time

Obviously in a romantic relationship, loyalty is definitely a deal breaker for me, but it’s also important in friendships.

From Essence.com

Williams has been happily married to internet entrepreneur and investor Alexis Ohanian since 2017 but when it came time to talk about her relationship deal breakers with the popular dating and networking social media platform, she didn’t hold back.

From Essence.com

It's not necessarily a deal-breaker, but it is kind of a top priority.

From The Daily Beast

There is such a thing in presidential primary politics as a single-issue deal-breaker.

From The Daily Beast

For Aga Malarczyk, 37, one of more than 50,000 Polish citizens living in Scotland, this is a deal breaker.

From The Daily Beast

In the '60s South, long hair was a signifier and a deal breaker for men.

From The Daily Beast

This shouldn't have been a deal-breaker, though, since rumor has it the entire leadership is bought and paid for by the U.S.

From The Daily Beast