# argue down

CEFR C1 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/argue-down
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to persuade someone to lower the price of something or to defeat someone's argument by being more logical or forceful.

For teachers: to overcome an opponent in a debate or to successfully negotiate a reduction in price through persistent argument.

## Examples

- I managed to argue him down to fifty dollars.
- The street vendor wanted twenty euros, but she managed to argue him down to ten.
- The defense attorney systematically argued down every point raised by the prosecution until the jury was visibly unconvinced.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I argued down the price to him." but "I argued him down on the price." — the person being persuaded is typically the direct object placed between the verb and the particle.

## Usage notes

- usually takes a person as the direct object when referring to price negotiation or a debate.
- Teaching tip: highlight the two distinct contexts: financial negotiation (haggling) and intellectual debate (defeating an opponent's logic).

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.