bare|ly ◆◇◇ /beə r li/
1 ADV [ADV before v] You use barely to say that something is only just true or only just the case. □ Anastasia could barely remember the ride to the hospital. □ It was 90 degrees and the air conditioning barely cooled the room. □ His voice was barely audible.
2 ADV [ADV before v] If you say that one thing had barely happened when something else happened, you mean that the first event was followed immediately by the second. □ The Boeing 767 had barely taxied to a halt before its doors were flung open. SYNONYMS barely ADV 1
only just: The signs of an economic revival are only just beginning.
scarcely: He could scarcely breathe.
barf /bɑː r f/ (barfs , barfing , barfed ) VERB If someone barfs , they vomit. [INFORMAL ]
bar|fly /bɑː r fla I / (barflies ) N‑COUNT A barfly is a person who spends a lot of time drinking in bars [AM , INFORMAL ]
bar|gain ◆◇◇ /bɑː r g I n/ (bargains , bargaining , bargained )
1 N‑COUNT Something that is a bargain is good value for money, usually because it has been sold at a lower price than normal. □ At this price the wine is a bargain.
2 N‑COUNT A bargain is an agreement, especially a formal business agreement, in which two people or groups agree what each of them will do, pay, or receive. □ I'll make a bargain with you. I'll play hostess if you'll include Matthew in your guest-list. □ The treaty was based on a bargain between the French and German governments.
3 VERB When people bargain with each other, they discuss what each of them will do, pay, or receive. □ [V + with ] They prefer to bargain with individual clients, for cash. □ [V ] Shop in small local markets and don't be afraid to bargain. ● bar|gain|er (bargainers ) N‑COUNT □ A union bargainer said that those jobs have been saved. ● bar|gain|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ The government has called for sensible pay bargaining.
4 PHRASE [ADJ ] If people drive a hard bargain , they argue with determination in order to achieve a deal which is favourable to themselves. □ …a law firm with a reputation for driving a hard bargain.
5 PHRASE You use into the bargain when mentioning an additional quantity, feature, fact, or action, to emphasize the fact that it is also involved. You can also say in the bargain in American English. [EMPHASIS ] □ This machine is designed to save you effort, and keep your work surfaces tidy into the bargain. □ She is rich. Now you say she is a beauty into the bargain.
6 PHRASE If you keep your side of the bargain , you do what you have promised or arranged to do. □ Dealing with this dictator wasn't an option. He wouldn't have kept his side of the bargain.
▸ bargain for or bargain on PHRASAL VERB If you have not bargained for or bargained on something that happens, you did not expect it to happen and so feel surprised or worried by it. □ [V P n] The effects of this policy were more than the government had bargained for. SYNONYMS bargain VERB 3
haggle: Ella taught her how to haggle with used furniture dealers.
barter: They have been bartering wheat for cotton and timber.
negotiate: It is not clear whether the president is willing to negotiate with the democrats.
ba r|gain ba se|ment also bargain-basement ADJ [ADJ n] If you refer to something as a bargain basement thing, you mean that it is cheap and not very good quality. □ …a bargain-basement rock musical.
ba r|gain hunt|er (bargain hunters ) also bargain-hunter N‑COUNT A bargain hunter is someone who is looking for goods that are value for money, usually because they are on sale at a lower price than normal.
ba r|gain|ing chip (bargaining chips ) N‑COUNT In negotiations with other people, a bargaining chip is something that you are prepared to give up in order to obtain what you want. □ Rubio suggests that oil be used as a bargaining chip in any trade talks.
ba r|gain|ing coun|ter (bargaining counters ) N‑COUNT A bargaining counter is the same as a bargaining chip . [BRIT ]
barge /bɑː r dʒ/ (barges , barging , barged )
1 N‑COUNT [oft by N ] A barge is a long, narrow boat with a flat bottom. Barges are used for carrying heavy loads, especially on canals. □ Carrying goods by train costs nearly three times more than carrying them by barge.
2 VERB If you barge into a place or barge through it, you rush or push into it in a rough and rude way. [INFORMAL ] □ [V + into ] Students tried to barge into the secretariat buildings. [Also V + through ]
3 VERB If you barge into someone or barge past them, you bump against them roughly and rudely. [INFORMAL ] □ [V + past ] He barged past her and sprang at Gillian, knocking her to the floor. [Also V + into ]
▸ barge in PHRASAL VERB If you barge in or barge in on someone, you rudely interrupt what they are doing or saying. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P ] I'm sorry to barge in like this, but I have a problem I hope you can solve. [Also V P + on ]
ba rge pole also bargepole PHRASE If you say that you wouldn't touch something with a barge pole , you mean that you would not want to have anything to do with it, either because you do not trust it, or because you do not like it. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] in AM, use wouldn't touch something with a ten-foot pole