make a compromise

Meaning

This expression means to reach an agreement in a dispute or negotiation by having both sides make concessions (giving up some of their demands). It is an essential phrase for discussing conflict resolution, relationships, and business deals where cooperation is necessary. The tone is constructive and cooperative.

Examples

• To keep the peace, both partners often need to make a compromise.

  To keep the peace, both partners often need to make a compromise.

• We couldn't agree on a movie, so we had to make a compromise.

  We couldn't agree on a movie, so we had to make a compromise.

• The union and management managed to make a compromise on wages.

  The union and management managed to make a compromise on wages.

• If you want this relationship to work, you have to be willing to make a compromise.

  If you want this relationship to work, you have to be willing to make a compromise.

• They made a compromise by choosing a holiday destination they both liked parts of.

  They made a compromise by choosing a holiday destination they both liked parts of.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We need to do a compromise to solve this.

  ✓ We need to make a compromise to solve this.

  In English, the correct collocation is 'make a compromise', not 'do a compromise'.

• ✗ She made a compromise with her salary demands.

  ✓ She made a compromise on her salary demands.

  You make a compromise 'with' a person, but 'on' or 'about' a specific topic or demand.

Related Expressions

Practice

• In any marriage, you have to learn how to ___.

  💡 Reach an agreement by both sides giving up something.

  Show answer

  make a compromise

• Since we couldn't agree on the price, we had to ___.

  💡 Meet halfway to close the deal.

  Show answer

  make a compromise