making concessions

Meaning

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   The act of agreeing to give up part of what you want in order to reach an agreement or end a disagreement.

   Grammar: Usually used as a noun phrase: 'Making concessions is necessary.' It can also follow a preposition: 'They are tired of making concessions.'

   Patterns

   • making concessions to someone
   • making concessions on something
   • without making concessions

   Both sides understood that making concessions was the only way to end the strike.

   She was praised for making concessions on the budget without losing support.

   The treaty was signed after months of making concessions to the smaller nations.

Common combinations

making concessions to someone

The manager kept making concessions to the union to avoid a walkout.

making concessions on an issue

They refused to make any concessions on working hours.

without making concessions

He wanted a deal without making concessions on pay.

a policy of making concessions

The government followed a policy of making concessions to the protesters.

Synonyms and how they differ

compromise

Compromise stresses both sides giving up something, while making concessions can be one-sided.

conceding

Conceding is more formal and often means admitting a point is true, not just giving it up to reach a deal.

Opposites

Word family

concession noun

A single thing you agree to give up, or the act of giving it up.

concede verb

To admit something is true or to give something up unwillingly.

concessive adjective

In grammar, describing a clause that says 'although' or 'even if'.

Commonly confused: making concessions or concession stand?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “making concessions”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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