Confident Business English
202. Understand More in Meetings: Business Expressions #3
Jan 24, 2024
Learn how to navigate colloquial expressions used in meetings. Explore 'playing hardball' in negotiations, 'moving the goalposts' in project scope, and understanding its negative connotations. Discuss a scenario of deciding on the working model and facing resistance from team members.
16:40
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Quick takeaways
- 'Playing hardball' is an expression used to describe someone who is being difficult, tough, and aggressive in negotiations, indicating their unwillingness to compromise.
- 'Moving the goalposts' refers to the act of changing conditions or requirements after an agreement has been made, signifying an unfair advantage and lack of respect for previous agreements.
Deep dives
Playing hardball in negotiations
In negotiations, the expression 'playing hardball' is used to describe someone who is being difficult, tough, and aggressive. This expression originates from the game of baseball, where a smaller and harder ball is used compared to the soft and larger ball used in softball. When applied to negotiations, it indicates that the other party is not willing to compromise and is determined to get what they want, with little consideration for the other parties in the negotiation.
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