seal the deal: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘seal the deal’ mean?
The idiom "seal the deal" means to finalize or secure an agreement or transaction. It implies successfully completing negotiations and reaching a binding agreement, often with a formal agreement or contract.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "sell bargains" refers to the act of convincing someone to buy something at a lower or discounted price. It implies the skill or ability to negotiate a better deal for the buyer.
The idiom "say goodbye" means to part or separate from someone or something, often permanently. It implies a finality or ending to a relationship, situation, or opportunity.
The idiom "ring down the curtain" means to bring an event or performance to a close, usually in a final or dramatic way.
The idiom "real deal" means that something is authentic, genuine, or the best of its kind.
The idiom "put to bed" means to complete or finish something, especially a task or project, and to make it ready for the next stage or for use. It often refers to the finalization or completion of work.
The idiom "put the wood in the hole" means to complete or finish a task or project. It is often used to emphasize the final step or action needed to achieve a desired outcome.
The idiom *put the hammer down* means to take decisive action or to enforce strict measures.
The idiom "put the hammer down" is a commonly used expression in American English. It is often used to convey a sense of speed, urgency, or firm action. The origins of this idiom can be traced back to the construction industry and the world of transportation, particularly trucking.
The idiom "put paid to" means to end or finish something, especially in a decisive or final manner.
The idiom "put an end to" means to bring something to a conclusion or stop it completely.
The idiom "put an end to" is a commonly used phrase in English. It means to stop or bring something to a close. It carries a sense of finality and resolution, making it a powerful expression in communication.
The idiom "put a lid on it" means to stop talking or expressing oneself, usually in response to someone being too loud, argumentative, or revealing information that should be kept secret. It is a figurative expression urging someone to close their mouth or keep their thoughts to themselves.
Unveiling the Significance
The idiom "seal the deal" is a commonly used expression in business and negotiation contexts. It is primarily used to indicate the successful finalization of an agreement or transaction. The idiom is believed to have originated from the act of sealing important documents with a wax seal as a means of ensuring their authenticity and integrity.
One possible explanation for the origin of this idiom is the practice of sealing legal documents or contracts to make them legally binding. By affixing a seal to the document, it signified that both parties had agreed to the terms and conditions outlined in the agreement. This act of sealing the document represented the final step in the negotiation process, making the deal official and unalterable.
Over time, this practice of physically sealing documents has evolved into a figurative expression. "Sealing the deal" now refers to the successful completion of a negotiation or agreement. It signifies the moment when both parties reach a mutual understanding and give their final approval, often with a handshake or a formal agreement. This idiom is commonly used to emphasize the importance of reaching a final agreement, as it signifies the point of no return in the negotiation process.
When used in a business context, "seal the deal" conveys a sense of accomplishment and success. It suggests that all the necessary details and terms have been agreed upon, and the agreement is now binding. It implies that the negotiation process has been successfully concluded, resulting in a positive outcome for both parties involved.
The related idioms such as "done deal", "cut a deal", "ink in", "nail down", and "put to bed" are all phrases that share a similar concept with "seal the deal." These idioms emphasize the finality and completion of an agreement or negotiation.
The phrase "done deal" is used to describe a situation where an agreement has been reached and is considered final and binding. It conveys a sense of certainty and conclusiveness, much like "seal the deal." For example, if two parties have been negotiating a contract and have come to a final agreement, they could say, "It's a done deal."
"Cut a deal" is another related idiom that shares the same concept as "seal the deal." It refers to the act of successfully negotiating and finalizing an agreement. The phrase "ink in" also conveys the finality and completion of a deal, as it refers to the moment when the agreement is officially signed.
The idiom "nail down" is used to describe the act of finalizing or securing an agreement or decision. It implies that all the details and terms have been firmly established and agreed upon, similar to the finalization conveyed by "seal the deal." For example, if two parties have been negotiating the terms of a partnership and have reached a final agreement, they could say, "We have nailed down the details."
Similarly, the idiom "put to bed" is used to indicate the successful completion or resolution of something, much like "sealing the deal." It conveys the idea that the task or issue at hand has been dealt with and is now considered finished or resolved. For instance, if a business has been working on closing a significant deal and it has finally been completed, they could say, "We have put the deal to bed."
The idiom "seal the deal" originated from the act of physically sealing important documents as a means of ensuring their authenticity and finality. Over time, it has transformed into a figurative expression used to emphasize the successful completion of a negotiation or agreement. It conveys a sense of certainty, accomplishment, and finality, highlighting the importance of reaching a mutual understanding and formalizing the deal. The related idioms "done deal", "cut a deal", "ink in", "nail down", and "put to bed" all share a similar concept with "seal the deal," emphasizing the finality and completion of an agreement or negotiation.
Example usage
The idiom "seal the deal" can be used in a variety of contexts to indicate the successful completion or finalization of an agreement or transaction:
- After months of negotiations, the two companies finally reached a compromise and sealed the deal on their merger.
- The real estate agent showed us multiple properties, but it was the spacious backyard that sealed the deal for us.
- John had been trying to convince his parents to let him go on the trip, and offering to pay for it himself sealed the deal.
More "Closure" idioms
