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

“If you don’t, and you just think it’s just enough to have a mandate that the butts have to be in seats, you’re going to miss out on an entire segment of the population who have said, ‘It’s a deal breaker for me.’”

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Greater voting control is a deal breaker for Tesla’s robot future, Musk made clear on the company’s third-quarter earnings call.

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Greg or no Greg, the East Hollywood spot’s parking situation seemed like a deal breaker.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He still says he's pro-choice, which is generally a deal breaker in GOP politics.

Read more on Salon

“Bad teeth are a deal breaker for me. I want someone who takes care of themselves.”

Read more on Salon