bargaining chip
noun
: something that can be used to gain an advantage when trying to make a deal or an agreement
The workers used the threat of a strike as a bargaining chip in their negotiations.
Examples of bargaining chip in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Naturally, Rue is captured by Laurie again, only to later become a bargaining chip in an exchange with another nefarious figure (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje) who apparently oversees some kind of escorting empire.
—
Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 14 Jan. 2026
Should Tina Peters remain behind bars or be used as a bargaining chip?
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 14 Jan. 2026
There is also the potential for this to be used as a bargaining chip in the upcoming April negotiations with China.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 5 Jan. 2026
He's used this as a bargaining chip with other foreign leaders.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 5 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Bargaining chip.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bargaining%20chip. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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