International Negotiations

Suggested answers

•  ... we’re looking at this the wrong way: trying to understand an abstract piece of 

modern art.

•  Let’s try coming at it from a different angle: trying to shoot a target with an arrow.

•  ... we seem to be stuck ...: trying to walking through mud but unable to move.

•  ... let’s add something extra to the mix: cooking – adding a surprising new ingredient to 

a recipe.

•  ... the main sticking point ...: the thing that is causing a machine to get jammed.

•  ... let’s see how we can get round that: there is a barrier blocking our way down a path.

•  Would you be prepared to meet us halfway?: I live in town A; you live in town B. Let’s 

meet in town C.

•  How about splitting the difference ...: in maths, the difference equals my price minus 

your price. Let’s split it in half, like cutting an orange.

•  I think that’s as far as we can go: we’ve reached the end of the path through a forest.

... if we could find a way ...: we’re lost in a maze.

... to pay upfront: in front of you, i.e. in advance.

... what’s on the table ...: we have a lot of documents (= offers, counter-offers). on our 

negotiating table. 

... let’s set that to one side ...: let’s move those documents away from the middle of 

the table.