reach a compromise

Meaning

This phrase means to arrive at an agreement where both sides make concessions (give up some of their demands) in order to resolve a dispute or make a decision. It is a key concept in negotiations, conflict resolution, and teamwork where opinions differ.

Examples

• After hours of intense negotiation, the two companies finally managed to reach a compromise.

  After hours of intense negotiation, the two companies finally managed to reach a compromise.

• We need to reach a compromise on the budget before we can sign the contract.

  We need to reach a compromise on the budget before we can sign the contract.

• If we want this project to succeed, both departments must be willing to reach a compromise.

  If we want this project to succeed, both departments must be willing to reach a compromise.

• It was difficult to reach a compromise because both sides had very strong opinions.

  It was difficult to reach a compromise because both sides had very strong opinions.

• They hope to reach a compromise that satisfies both the management and the union.

  They hope to reach a compromise that satisfies both the management and the union.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We finally made a compromise after a long discussion.

  ✓ We finally reached a compromise after a long discussion.

  The standard collocation is 'reach a compromise' or 'compromise' (as a verb). 'Make a compromise' is less natural in professional contexts.

• ✗ They reached to a compromise yesterday.

  ✓ They reached a compromise yesterday.

  'Reach' is a transitive verb here and does not require the preposition 'to' before the object 'compromise'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Neither side got exactly what they wanted, but they managed to ___.

  💡 Arrive at an agreement by making concessions.

  Show answer

  reach a compromise

• It's better to ___ than to let the negotiation fail completely.

  💡 Meet halfway to resolve a conflict.

  Show answer

  reach a compromise