What does “Sweeten the Deal” mean?

"Sweeten the Deal" means to make an offer or agreement more appealing or advantageous.

What context can I use the in?

Example

The company decided to sweeten the deal by offering a higher salary.

Example

The real estate agent offered to include all the appliances to sweeten the deal.

Example

The seller agreed to lower the price to sweeten the deal and attract more buyers

Is “Sweeten the Deal” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?

“Sweeten the Deal” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.

How would I use “Sweeten the Deal” effectively in context?

You can use "Sweeten the Deal" to describe the act of making an offer or agreement more appealing or advantageous. It implies adding something extra or making a concession to make the deal more attractive. For example, if you're negotiating a job offer, you might say, 'They sweetened the deal by offering a signing bonus and flexible working hours.'

1Business
The company decided to sweeten the deal by offering a higher salary.
2Real Estate
The real estate agent offered to include all the appliances to sweeten the deal.
3Sales
The seller agreed to lower the price to sweeten the deal and attract more buyers.

Similar phrases to “Sweeten the Deal”:

Seal the deal

To finalize or secure an agreement

Example

After weeks of negotiation, they finally sealed the deal.

Make an offer

To propose a specific deal or agreement

Example

He made an offer to buy the car at a lower price.

Sweeten the pot

To increase the value or attractiveness of a deal or offer

Example

The company sweetened the pot by adding a bonus incentive.

Good things to know:

Where does the phrase “Sweeten the Deal” come from?

The origin of the phrase "Sweeten the Deal" is unknown.

Is “Sweeten the Deal” common in everyday conversation?

Yes, "Sweeten the Deal" is a common expression in everyday conversation, especially in business and negotiation contexts. People often use it to describe the act of making an offer more enticing or advantageous.

What tone does “Sweeten the Deal” have?

"Sweeten the Deal" conveys a tone of negotiation and compromise. It suggests that someone is willing to make concessions or add incentives to reach an agreement.

Can “Sweeten the Deal” be used in informal and formal settings?

Yes, "Sweeten the Deal" can be used in both informal and formal settings. It's a versatile expression that describes the act of making an offer more appealing. You can use it in various situations, such as business negotiations, real estate transactions, or sales discussions.

Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?

It's commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'They sweetened the deal by offering additional benefits.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'Time to "sweeten the deal"!' to imply the need for making an offer more attractive.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

enhance the offer
improve the terms
make it more enticing
add incentives
make a better proposition

Antonyms

make it less appealing
weaken the offer
reduce the benefits
take away incentives