zero-sum game
Pronunciation
Noun
B2 Upper-intermediate
Quick answer
A situation in which one side's gain is exactly balanced by another side's loss, so the total stays the same.
Test yourself
Which word fits the gap? "Negotiators tried to find options that weren't a _____, so both sides could come away better off."
Answer: zero-sum game
In your own words, what does "zero-sum game" mean?
A situation in which one side's gain is exactly balanced by another side's loss, so the total stays the same.