Nations that do make purchases are driving tougher bargains with American contractors.

Mr. Gorbachev is prepared to drive a tough bargain.

In effect, he told the Bush Administration to strike a tougher bargain - which it now can.

Yesterday, Mr. Bloomberg said that the transportation authority "should drive as tough a bargain as they can."

"You drive a tough bargain," said Sandecker, with a sly grin.

Similarly, diplomatic engagement can bring progress when the government doing the engaging drives tough bargains and insists that its terms be met.

The farmers struck a tough bargain.

It's a little pricier on private jets, though operators are known to drive tough bargains.

The debate over signing the agreement reflected the fact that the North Koreans drove a tough bargain.

But what we have learned is that we have to drive a tougher bargain.