make a concession

Meaning

To give up something or compromise on a point during a negotiation in order to reach an agreement. This is a formal term used in business contracts, legal disputes, and high-level corporate discussions.

Examples

• We had to make a concession on the price to secure the long-term contract.

  We had to make a concession on the price to secure the long-term contract.

• Neither side was willing to make a concession, so the talks stalled.

  Neither side was willing to make a concession, so the talks stalled.

• If they agree to our delivery timeline, we might make a concession on the payment terms.

  If they agree to our delivery timeline, we might make a concession on the payment terms.

• The union made several concessions regarding benefits to avoid layoffs.

  The union made several concessions regarding benefits to avoid layoffs.

• Before entering the meeting, decide which concessions you are willing to make.

  Before entering the meeting, decide which concessions you are willing to make.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We had to do a concession during the negotiation.

  ✓ We had to make a concession during the negotiation.

  The verb 'make' is collocated with 'concession'. Do not use 'do' or 'give' (though 'grant a concession' is possible, 'make' is the standard collocation).

• ✗ They refused to make concessions to the contract.

  ✓ They refused to make concessions on the contract.

  Use the preposition 'on' (or 'regarding') to specify what you are compromising about, not 'to'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• To close the deal, we had to ___ on the warranty period.

  💡 Give up something or compromise.

  Show answer

  make a concession

• Are you willing to ___ if they lower their initial price?

  💡 Compromise on a point.

  Show answer

  make a concession