argue down

To persuade someone through discussion to accept a lower price.

• I argued the seller down.
• We argued him down to ten dollars.
• Can you argue the dealer down a little further?

How to use it: argue someone down to an amount (I argued the seller down to fifty pounds.); argue someone down (She argued him down until he accepted her offer.)

Similar words: bargain with, haggle with

Common phrases: argue down someone, argue down a seller

To defeat someone in an argument or persuade them to give up their position.

• She argued me down.
• He tried to argue her down, but she refused to agree.
• Nobody could argue down the experienced lawyer.

How to use it: argue someone down (He argued his opponent down with clear evidence.)

Similar words: outargue, talk round

Common phrases: argue down someone, argue down an opponent

To use discussion and reasons to make an amount or demand lower.

• We argued down the price.
• She argued their initial demand down by half.
• Could you argue down that estimate?

How to use it: argue something down (We argued the estimate down to a more realistic figure.)

Similar words: negotiate down

Common phrases: argue down something, argue down the price

To speak against a proposal or planned vote to stop people supporting it.

• They tried to argue down the proposal.
• Council members argued down the motion before the vote.
• She argued down the proposed cuts at every meeting.

How to use it: argue down a proposal/motion (Several members tried to argue down the motion.)

Similar words: argue against, oppose

Opposites: support

Common phrases: argue down something, argue down a proposal