What does the word compromise mean? - Learning English with Mr Duncan

Today we are looking at a very interesting subject.

The subject is compromise, making compromises.

Sometimes we have to compromise things in life.

I would say that it is

inevitable, unavoidable,

that sometimes we have to compromise

to make compromises.

The word compromise means to accept or agree

on something less than what was intended.

That is to say something you expect to happen

or maybe something you expect to receive

is not what you were expecting.

Sometimes we have to compromise and that is the word.

To lower the standard or expectation of a particular thing

means that a compromise has taken place.

So to look at that sentence again, to lower

the standard all expectation.

So when we talk about expectation,

it is the thing which you are waiting for.

Your expectation is the feeling of waiting for something

to lower the standard or expectation of a particular thing

means that a compromise has taken place.

The lack of agreement on something might lead to those involved

having to compromise.

A good example, of course, would be if

some workers for a certain company,

maybe they want more money, maybe they want higher salary.

So quite often they will have to negotiate.

They will have to talk to another group of people

to try and make a deal.

So perhaps the workers want a certain percentage

of their salary to be raised.

They might have to negotiate.

And more often than not, you will have to compromise.

So when you are trying to agree on something, whatever it is,

quite often you will have to compromise on that thing.

If we say compromise, it can be the thing that is the noun.

So we are using it in the sense of being the noun compromise.

It is the thing that is being compromised

or the thing that is being negotiated

to compromise can also be the action.

And in this situation, we are looking at the verb.

A compromise can be the thing

or it can be the actual action.

The action of compromising

a compromise was reached between the two groups.

So in that particular sentence in Greve,

you can see we are using the noun, the noun compromise.

And underneath in blue

to move forward, we must compromise.

So that means we have to make an agreement.

We are using the verb, the verb form, which is compromise.

The word concession

can also be used to show that a compromise was made.

So when we are talking about compromise,

we can also use the word concession.

You might go into a department store

and in the department store you might see some well-known shops.

But the size of the shop is much smaller

and we often call that a concession.

So a reduced version of something

can also be described as a concession.

The word concession can also be used to show

that a compromise was made.

You are making something less than it should have been.

We might say that someone has to settle for less.

This happens a lot.

I think it's very fair to say that in life you can you can't always have what you want.

So we might say that we settle for less.

You are agreeing to take something, but it isn't as good.

We might say that someone has to settle for less.

And there might be lots of situations where you have to do that.

For example, I want a big house, but I can't afford one.

So instead I have to compromise.

I want a big house, but I can't afford it.

So instead I have to buy a small house.

Sometimes you have to compromise.

I want a big fast car like this, but

I can't afford the fuel to run it.

So instead, I must compromise.

I must make a compromise.

I must have a small car.

Instead, because a large car will use lots of fuel.

I want a beautiful girlfriend.

Hello there.

Wow. You will. Rather lovely.

Yes. Hello.

Would you like to be my girlfriend?

Would you like to go out with me sometime?

No. Okay.

Unfortunately, she doesn't want to go out with me, so instead

I will have to compromise.

You want the beautiful supermodel,

but unfortunately, you can't have her.

So instead, you must

compromise.

You must

settle for less.

There are many phrases connected to the word compromise.

The first phrase we have is make, do,

make, do.

In this particular phrase, we are expressing

the fact that we have to use what is available.

Unfortunately, we can't have what we want.

So instead you have to make do.

Here's another one.

I know this one very well.

Beggars can't be choosers.

Sometimes when you are desperate,

maybe sometimes when you really need something,

you can't be fussy.

You don't have any choice.

You have to take what you are given.

Sometimes beggars can't be choosers.

You might also have to lower your expectations on a situation.

Something that you want.

Something that you need.

You have to lower your expectations.

You reduce your expectations.

You lower your expectations.

Maybe you have the last turkey in the shop.

You have no choice.

Maybe it is the last thing.

Maybe there is no other choice.

It is the last turkey in the shop.

It is the worst of all.

But it is all that is available.

You have no choice.

Maybe you want a nice, big, juicy turkey.

You want a big, juicy one, but you can't have it.

Because sometimes in life, you can't have what you want.

It's true.

We have some words connected to compromise.

You make a compromise.

You make or have a negotiation.

You give and take.

You have a concession.

You have a cable operation.

Cooperation is an interesting word because it means that two groups of people

join together and they agree on many things.

They agree to work together.

So quite often when there is cooperation.

Quite often you have to make compromises.

Sometimes you might find the middle ground.

If you find the middle ground, it means that you are agreeing with each other.

You might not agree completely, but you are finding the middle ground.

You are coming together.

You are discussing the differences.

And hopefully you will make an agreement.

You find the middle ground and finally, with this list,

you meet in the middle two people who do not agree.

Maybe they are trying to make a deal or come to a bargain or make a decision together.

But they can't agree.

Sometimes you have to make compromise noises.

You have to compromise.

So you meet in the middle. You come

to an agreement.

You make a compromise.

The basic lesson from having to compromise

is that quite often it is hard to get what you want.

For some people, it is the hardest lesson to learn

in life.