理解并使用习语：“Drive a Hard Bargain”在英语中的运用
学会drive a hard bargain不仅在商业领域，在生活中的许多情境下都是一项重要技能。这个英语习语形容某人通过高效的谈判能力，为自己争取到最有利的交易。如果你想提升讨价还价用语、深入理解这个常见表达，那你找对地方了！本文将探讨它的含义、用法、常见错误，并提供练习，帮助你掌握"drive a hard bargain"。我们将涵盖其适用场合、句子结构以及表达相似意思的替代表达方式。
目录
- “Drive a Hard Bargain”是什么意思？
- 何时使用“Drive a Hard Bargain”？
- “Drive a Hard Bargain”如何使用？
- 同义词与相关表达
- 真实情景
- 检验你的技能！
- 结语：成为精明谈判者
“Drive a Hard Bargain”是什么意思？
习语"drive a hard bargain"指的是某人通过坚持不懈并高效地谈判，为自己争取到极为有利的协议或交易。能够 drive a hard bargain 的人通常是_强硬的谈判者_，他们不容易满足，总是会极力为自己争取最大利益。他们努力保证能获得最好的条件。
这样理解：“driving”意味着投入和主导，而“hard bargain”则是对方很难同意的条件，因为对谈判者来说太有利了。这是商谈中的常见谈判用语习语。
閱讀更多: 理解Draw The Line设定界限的重要英文习语帮你流利表达界限
何时使用“Drive a Hard Bargain”？
此表达多用于讨论各种谈判场景，尤其是在商业、销售，或任何需要就条件达成共识的情境。可以用来描述买汽车、谈工资、签业务合同等。这是商务英语表达的重要组成部分。
适用情境：
- 商业谈判：“The company is known to drive a hard bargain with its suppliers.”
- 采购高价物品：“I managed to get a discount on the car; I had to drive a hard bargain.”
- 评价某人的谈判风格：“She's a great lawyer because she really knows how to drive a hard bargain for her clients.”
避免使用的情境：
- 与朋友/家人的非常非正式或随意场合，可能显得太过激进或不合时宜： 你通常不会说朋友“drove a hard bargain”来形容谁请客喝咖啡，除非你在开玩笑。
- 合作比争取个人利益更重要的场合： 有时过于强调 drive a hard bargain 反而会伤害关系。
- 学术或极为正式的写作，除非是在讨论这个习语本身： 在一些正式文本中，可能会首选更正式的同义表达。
常见错误： 以下是学习者在使用该习语时常犯的错误以及纠正方法：
| 常见错误 | 错误原因/说明 | 正确用法/如何纠正 |
|---|---|---|
| "He drove a difficult bargain." | 虽然能理解，但固定表达是 "hard bargain"。 | "He drove a hard bargain." |
| "She makes a hard bargain." | 该习语通常使用的动词是 "drive"。 | "She drives a hard bargain." 或 "She struck a hard bargain." |
| 应用于日常琐事、小请求。 | 该习语包含重要谈判、付出努力的意味。 | 保持在涉及实际条件协商的场合使用。 |
| "They are driving hard bargains."（习语作复数） | 习语应为 "drive a hard bargain"（单数）。如指多次交易，需结构不同。 | "They drive a hard bargain."（泛指能力）或"They drove hard bargains on several contracts."（具体实例） |
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“Drive a Hard Bargain”如何使用？
短语"drive a hard bargain"在句中作为动词短语出现，主干动词为"drive"，"a hard bargain"为宾语，描述强硬的谈判行为。理解这一语法角色有助于你在多种时态下正确运用它。如果你想高效谈判，掌握此技巧至关重要。
例句：
- "The union leaders are preparing to drive a hard bargain during the upcoming contract negotiations."（现在进行时，表示即将进行的动作）
- "My father always told me to drive a hard bargain when buying a used car, and I'm glad I listened."（不定式，用于建议）
常见句型结构： 以下为"drive a hard bargain"在句中的常见用法：
| 句型结构 | 包含"Drive a Hard Bargain"的句子示例 | 简要说明 |
|---|---|---|
| 主语 + drive a hard bargain | "Sarah always drives a hard bargain at the market." | 基本现在时用法。 |
| 主语 + drove a hard bargain | "The client drove a hard bargain, but we finally reached an agreement." | 过去时，描述一次已完成的谈判。 |
| 主语 + will drive a hard bargain | "I'm sure they will drive a hard bargain on the price." | 将来时，预测强硬谈判。 |
| 主语 + is/are/am driving a hard bargain | "He is driving a hard bargain for a higher salary." | 现在进行时，表示谈判正在进行。 |
| To drive a hard bargain（不定式） | "It's essential to drive a hard bargain in this competitive market." | 作为不定式短语出现。 |
| 某人以善于 drive a hard bargain 闻名 | "She's known as someone who drives a hard bargain." | 描述个人特质。 |
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同义词与相关表达
虽然"drive a hard bargain"非常常用，但还有其它表达可表达类似语气。了解这些能丰富你的词汇，还能帮助你把握谈判用语的细微差异。有些讨价还价表达含义略有不同。
| 同义词/相关表达 | 语气/正式程度及细微区别 | 例句 |
|---|---|---|
| Play hardball | 非正式；暗示手段强硬，可能带有侵略性 | "They decided to play hardball during the merger talks." |
| Stand firm / Hold one's ground | 泛称；强调不让步，不过多指立场坚定而非谈判主动 | "Despite pressure, she stood firm on her demands." |
| Negotiate toughly | 偏直接、非习语表达；可正式可非正式 | "We had to negotiate toughly to secure the deal." |
| Be a tough negotiator | 指的是人，而不是某次具体谈判 | "He is a tough negotiator; getting concessions is difficult." |
| Strike a hard bargain | 和"drive a hard bargain"相近，但更强调成功达成严苛条件 | "After hours of talks, they struck a hard bargain." |
| Haggle | 多指在市集、较为随意的价格讨价还价 | "We haggled over the price of the antique." |
真实情景
来看一看"drive a hard bargain"在日常对话中的实际用法。注意上下文是如何帮助理解其含义的。
情景一：买车
- Alex: "Wow, nice car! Did you get a good deal?"
- Ben: "I think so, but it wasn't easy. The salesman really knew his stuff, and I had to drive a hard bargain to get the price down to where I wanted it."
- Alex: "Well, congrats! It looks like your efforts paid off."
情景二：商务谈判
- Maria: "How did the meeting with the new supplier go?"
- Chen: "It was intense. They drive a hard bargain, that's for sure. We spent hours discussing terms for delivery and payment."
- Maria: "Did you manage to agree on something mutually beneficial?"
- Chen: "Eventually, yes. But they made us work for every concession. They are clearly experienced in how to negotiate effectively."
情景三：自由职业项目洽谈
- Sophie: "I just got off a call with a potential client. They seem interested, but their budget is tight."
- David: "Are you going to take the project?"
- Sophie: "I want to, but I'll need to drive a hard bargain on the scope of work if I'm to accept their proposed rate. I can't do premium work for basic pay."
- David: "Good luck! Stand your ground."
检验你的技能！
准备好测试你对"drive a hard bargain"的理解和运用了吗？来试试这些有趣的小任务吧！
1. 快速测验！
Question 1: If someone "drives a hard bargain," it means they:
- a) Drive their car very quickly to make a deal.
- b) Are very determined to get favorable terms in a negotiation.
- c) Find it difficult to make any deals.
- d) Offer a very generous deal to the other party.
Question 2: "The company is known to ______ with its suppliers to get the best prices."
- a) drive a fast bargain
- b) drive a hard bargain
- c) make a strong bargain
- d) push a tough bargain
Question 3: Which situation is least appropriate for "driving a hard bargain"?
- a) Negotiating your salary for a new job.
- b) Deciding with your partner who washes the dishes tonight.
- c) Buying a house from a seller.
- d) Finalizing a multi-million dollar contract for your company.
(Answers: 1-b, 2-b, 3-b)
2. 习语配对游戏：
将A栏的句子开头与B栏正确的结尾配对：
| A栏（句子开头） | B栏（结尾） |
|---|---|
| 1. To get the best possible price, she knew she had to | a) and eventually they agreed to her terms. |
| 2. The experienced buyer | b) was famous for his ability to drive a hard bargain. |
| 3. She drove a hard bargain, | c) drive a hard bargain with the vendor. |
| 4. He didn't want to pay full price, so he decided to | d) try and negotiate effectively. |
(Answers: 1-c, 2-b, 3-a, 4-d)
结语：成为精明谈判者
学习像"drive a hard bargain"这样的习语，不仅能扩展你的词汇量，还能帮助你理解文化习惯，并在商业或交易等语境下更精确地表达自己。掌握这些商务英语表达，在你需要高效谈判时，会让你的表达更自然而自信。
当场合合适时，大胆用起来吧！多加练习，你会越来越得心应手。这会是增添你沟通能力的宝贵工具。
你有没有遇到过需要 drive a hard bargain，或是希望自己能 drive a hard bargain 的情景？欢迎在评论区分享你的经历或想法！
