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Strike a Bargain (To)

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In Latin, fœdus ferīre; in Greek, horkia temein. The allusion is to the Greek and Roman custom of making sacrifice in concluding an agreement or bargain. After calling the gods to witness, they struck—i.e. slew—the victim which was offered in sacrifice. The modern English custom is simply to strike or shake hands.

 

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.

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Straw
Straw
Strawberry
Strawberry Preachers
Streak of Silver (The)
Street and Walker (Messrs.)
Stretcher
Strike (A)
Strike
Strike Amain
Strike a Bargain (To)
Strike Sail
Strike while the Iron is Hot
String
Stripes
Strode
Stroke
Stromkarl
Strong
Strong-back
Strong-bow