deal breaker

Meaning

A 'deal breaker' is a specific issue, condition, or factor that causes a negotiation, relationship, or agreement to fail completely. It represents a boundary or requirement that cannot be compromised. It is widely used in both romantic relationships and professional business negotiations.

Examples

• For me, smoking is an absolute deal breaker in a relationship.

  For me, smoking is an absolute deal breaker in a relationship.

• The salary was great, but the lack of remote work options was a deal breaker.

  The salary was great, but the lack of remote work options was a deal breaker.

• They wanted to buy the house, but the leaking roof turned out to be a deal breaker.

  They wanted to buy the house, but the leaking roof turned out to be a deal breaker.

• Not being willing to travel for work is a deal breaker for this position.

  Not being willing to travel for work is a deal breaker for this position.

• We agreed on almost everything, but their refusal to sign the NDA was a major deal breaker.

  We agreed on almost everything, but their refusal to sign the NDA was a major deal breaker.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ That issue broke our deal breaker.

  ✓ That issue was a deal breaker.

  'Deal breaker' is a noun meaning the issue itself, not an action that you can break. You say something 'is' a deal breaker.

• ✗ I have a deal break in this contract.

  ✓ I have a deal breaker in this contract.

  The correct noun form is 'deal breaker,' ending with the '-er' suffix.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I like him, but his bad table manners are a ___ for me.

  💡 A factor that makes you reject a relationship or agreement.

  Show answer

  deal breaker

• Having to work on weekends is a total ___ for most of our applicants.

  💡 An unacceptable condition that stops a deal or agreement.

  Show answer

  deal breaker