# bargain for

CEFR B2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bargain-for
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to expect or prepare for something to happen. You usually use this in the negative when something surprises you.

For teachers: to anticipate or take something into account; most frequently used in negative constructions or with 'more than' to indicate an unexpected complication or degree of difficulty.

## Examples

- The job was harder than I bargained for.
- When they bought the old house, they didn't bargain for the expensive roof repairs that were needed.
- The sudden collapse of the coalition government was more than the political analysts had bargained for during the election cycle.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I didn't bargain with the rain." but "I didn't bargain for the rain." — use 'for' to mean anticipation; 'bargain with' means to negotiate a price with a person.

## Usage notes

- almost always used in the past tense or with 'didn't' to describe an unexpected outcome.
- Teaching tip: anchor this to the noun 'bargain' (a deal); explain that if you didn't bargain for something, it wasn't part of the 'deal' or plan you expected.

---

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.