buy the same horse twice
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
(in a negotiation) To trade or make concessions for something that has already been agreed upon.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
We won't buy the same horse twice just to finalize this deal.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “buy the same horse twice” mean?
(in a negotiation) To trade or make concessions for something that has already been agreed upon.
Is “buy the same horse twice” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.