wheel and deal

/wˈiːl and dˈiːl/

/wˈiːl ænd dˈiːl/

[phrase]

to wheel and deal

[PHRASE]

to use various dishonest or complicated methods in order to gain things, particularly in politics or business

What is the origin of the idiom "wheel and deal" and when to use it?

The origin of the idiom "wheel and deal" can be traced back to the early 20th century in American English. It likely originated from the world of gambling, where players would spin the wheel and engage in various deals and negotiations during games of chance. This expression is informal and is often used in a business or negotiation context. It refers to the act of engaging in a series of negotiations, deals, or transactions, often with a focus on achieving one's goals or interests. It can also imply that the person is adept at navigating complex or tricky situations.

Examples

1. You need to cool it with the wheeling and dealing and just let the process work as it is supposed to.

2. Living at his parents’ house he would spend up to 8 hours a day on the phone, wheeling and dealing to attract investors.

3. But it took a lot of political wheeling and dealing, and we still have a long way to go before we meet our emissions goal.

4. I've seen her try to wheel and deal deals.