The same fifteen words as the cards above, written out in full — easy to scan, search or print.

back downB2phrase

To withdraw a demand or stop insisting you are right; it is almost always a refusal.

She won’t back down on the deadline.

you have a pointB1phrase

Concedes one thing without conceding the argument; native speakers usually follow it with ‘but’.

You have a point about the budget, but the timing is wrong.

drive a hard bargainC1phrase

To negotiate ruthlessly and surrender almost nothing; the phrase carries grudging respect.

The landlord drives a hard bargain, but the flat is worth it.

on the recordB2phrase

Said officially, so it is transcribed, can be quoted and is admissible as evidence.

Everything a witness says under oath is on the record.

settleB2phrase

To end a dispute by agreement, usually with money changing hands and no admission of liability.

They settled out of court for an undisclosed sum.

acerbicC1adjective

Sharp and bitter in the way you speak.

Her emails are acerbic but never wrong.

razor-sharpC1adjective

Extremely quick, precise and clever.

Our new lawyer has a razor-sharp memory.

incisiveC1adjective

Going straight to the heart of a matter.

One incisive question and the plan collapsed.

off the recordB2phrase

Said privately: you may listen, but not quote me.

Off the record, the project is in trouble.

settle out of courtC1phrase

To end a legal dispute by agreement before a judge rules.

The two companies settled out of court to avoid a long trial.

settle forB2phrase

To accept less than you wanted.

Lawyers settle cases; the rest of us settle for the second-best flat.

grievanceB2noun

A complaint about something you believe is unfair, especially one you take to someone in authority.

The staff took their grievance about pay to the head office.

thrash outC1phrasal verb

To discuss a problem in detail until you reach an agreement.

The two teams met on Friday to thrash out a deal.

admissibleC1adjective

Allowed to be used as evidence in a court of law.

The judge ruled that the recording was not admissible.

candourC1noun

The quality of being open and honest, even when the truth is uncomfortable.

I appreciated her candour about the company’s problems.