WordValeFaustian bargain
a deal giving up something essential for short-term gain
In more detail
1. (noun) an agreement in which someone gains something desirable but loses something of greater value, or sacrifices their principles or integrity; a deal with the devil
Examples
- Accepting the job meant working 80-hour weeks and missing time with family—it felt like a Faustian bargain.
How to use Faustian bargain
This literary and formal expression refers to any agreement where short-term gain comes at the cost of long-term harm or moral compromise. It alludes to the legend of Doctor Faustus selling his soul to the devil. The phrase is used in serious contexts—politics, business ethics, philosophy—to critique decisions that prioritize immediate benefit over fundamental principles or future consequences.
Common phrases
- make a Faustian bargain
- strike a Faustian bargain
- a Faustian bargain with
- enter into a Faustian bargain
- the ultimate Faustian bargain
Synonyms
deal with the devil · Pyrrhic victory · sell one's soul · devil's bargain · compromise of principles
Opposites
win-win · honest dealing
A common mistake
Learners sometimes use it to mean simply a bad deal or regrettable purchase, without the key implication of sacrificing principles or integrity in exchange for something desirable.
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