horse-trade

[ hawrs-treyd ]

/ ˈhɔrsˌtreɪd /

to bargain or trade shrewdly.

Origin of horse-trade

An Americanism dating back to 1820–30

horse trade

a shrewdly conducted exchange, as of favors or objects, usually resulting from or accompanied by very close bargaining.

an exchanging or trading of horses.

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50

He would express a willingness to horse-trade with every member.

How Lyndon Would Have Passed Health-Care Reform |Tom Johnson |August 22, 2009 |DAILY BEAST
It was a suit between two farmers who had had a disagreement over a horse-trade.

The Every-day Life of Abraham Lincoln |Francis Fisher Browne
I took time to explain how I had made a raise, and about the horse-trade.

Twenty Years of Hus'ling |J. P. Johnston
I can get a margin off most any man in the West on a horse-trade, but I'd look shy about doing a trade with him.

The World For Sale, Complete |Gilbert Parker

They both remembered that Hennard was close by at the time of the quarrel over the Horse-trade.

Two Little Savages |Ernest Thompson Seton
For there, it is said, no boy is permitted to leave home on a horse enterprise until he has cheated his father in a horse-trade.

The Memories of Fifty Years |William H. Sparks