Lowball Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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lowball

[ˈləʊbɔːl ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

poker

A bet that is significantly lower than the previous bet or typical bet size, often used as a strategy to deceive opponents or manipulate the pot odds.

Synonyms

deceptive bet, small bet, underbet.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
lowball	Often used in business or negotiations when someone makes an offer that is much lower than the actual value to see if the other party will accept it. This term has a negative connotation as it implies dishonesty or lack of respect for the other party's value. He tried to lowball me on the price of my car. The contractor gave a lowball estimate hoping to win the contract, but the final cost was much higher.
underbet	This is used in gambling or financial contexts when someone bets or invests less than a certain threshold or less than what is typical or expected. It does not carry a strong negative connotation but suggests caution or a conservative approach. He decided to underbet because he wasn't confident in his hand. In poker, an underbet can sometimes be a strategic move to entice others to raise.
small bet	Commonly used in gambling or casual conversations about wagers. It simply refers to a bet involving a small amount of money or stakes, without any implication of dishonesty. I made a small bet on the horse race just for fun. Let's start with a small bet and see how it goes.
deceptive bet	Used in gambling or situations involving bets where someone makes a bet that looks unattractive or misleading to deceive others. It carries a negative connotation because it involves trickery. He placed a deceptive bet to throw his opponents off. Her deceptive bet made everyone think she had a weak hand when she actually had a strong one.

Examples of usage

He made a lowball to lure his opponents into a false sense of security.
The player decided to make a lowball to confuse the other players at the table.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

general

An offer or proposal that is unreasonably low or below market value.

Synonyms

cheap offer, underbid, unsatisfactory proposal.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
lowball	Used when someone intentionally makes an offer that is much lower than the item's value, often in negotiations or sales. This term can have a negative connotation as it implies trying to exploit the other party. He tried to lowball me with a ridiculous price for my car. They lowballed their bid in hopes of winning the contract.
underbid	Primarily used in competitive bidding situations, such as auctions or contracting. This involves offering a lower price than the competition, often in a strategic manner. We managed to underbid our competitors to secure the project. The contractor underbid the others to win the renovation job.
cheap offer	Refers to an offer that is low in price, which may or may not be intentionally insulting. It is more neutral compared to 'lowball'. It can be used in various contexts including buying, selling, and job offers. They made a cheap offer on the house, hoping the owners were desperate. I got a cheap offer for the used laptop, but I decided to wait for a better one.
unsatisfactory proposal	Used in formal or professional settings to describe an offer or proposal that does not meet expectations or standards. It is more polite but clearly expresses discontent. The board found the budget proposal to be unsatisfactory. Her salary offer was unsatisfactory, so she decided to negotiate.

Examples of usage

The CEO rejected the lowball offer for the company.
They received a lowball bid for their house, much lower than the asking price.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'lowball'

The term 'lowball' originated in the game of poker, where players would make a deliberately low bet to mislead their opponents. Over time, the term has been adopted in general usage to refer to any offer or proposal that is unreasonably low. The strategy of lowballing can be seen in various negotiation scenarios, where one party attempts to gain an advantage by starting with an extremely low offer.

See also: below, low, lowbrow, lower, lowest, lowlife, lowliness, lowly, lowness.