horse trading

American  

noun

1. the act or fact of conducting a shrewd exchange or engaging in a horse trade; bargaining.

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horse trading British  

noun

1. hard bargaining to obtain equal concessions by both sides in a dispute

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horse trading Idioms  

1. Negotiation marked by hard bargaining and shrewd exchange. For example, The restaurant owner is famous for his horse trading; he's just exchanged a month of free dinners for a month of free television commercials. This expression alludes to the notorious shrewdness of horse traders, who literally bought and sold horses. [c. 1820]

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Etymology

Origin of horse trading

An Americanism dating back to 1820–30

Example Sentences

"Party discipline takes second place where there is constituency money involved," says Prof Logsdon, a seasoned watcher of the horse trading that goes on with space politics in Congress.

From BBC

The SNP leadership campaign's been a short, sharp affair - and it’s already shown John Swinney's skill in horse trading.

From BBC

After the election, lawmakers form camps around hotels in the capital Honiara where horse trading takes place to persuade a majority to back various candidates for prime minister.

From Seattle Times

Archaeological analysis of a near unique animal cemetery discovered in London nearly 30 years ago has revealed the international scale of horse trading by the elites of late medieval and Tudor England.

From Science Daily

There may be weeks of horse trading — or a new election later this year.

From New York Times