wheel and deal

Idioms  

1. Operate or manipulate for one's own interest, especially in an aggressive or unscrupulous way. For example, Bernie's wheeling and dealing has made him rich but not very popular. This term comes from gambling in the American West, where a wheeler-dealer was a heavy bettor on the roulette wheel and at cards. [Colloquial; c. 1940]

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Example Sentences

This was the new “New York”; not just as far as the series was concerned, but in terms of the figures who wheel and deal within the city itself.

From Salon • Feb. 12, 2025

It has money, ability to wheel and deal for a variety of players and draft picks, and the No. 2 overall pick in the entry draft to offer for the right return.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 16, 2021

This is a team that has long had to wheel and deal in the transfer market.

From New York Times • Apr. 3, 2019

Would it have helped their odds to wheel and deal with other members of their class?

From Washington Post • Dec. 3, 2018

‘So let’s wheel and deal, Music Man,’ Leo said.

From "Blood of Olympus" by Rick Riordan