lowball

[ loh-bawl ]

noun

1. Cards. a game of draw poker in which the player having the lowest-ranking hand wins the pot.

verb (used with object)

1. to deliberately estimate a lower low price for (a service or merchandise) than one intends to charge:

   to lowball the cost of a move.

2. to give a false estimate or bid for.

verb (used without object)

1. to engage in lowballing.

adjective

1. engaged in or characteristic of lowballing:

   a lowball bid.

lowball

/ ˈləʊˌbɔːl /

noun

1. a game of poker in which the player with the lowest hand wins
2. 1. a very low estimate or offer
   2. ( as modifier )

      a lowball bid

verb

1. tr to make a very low estimate or offer for (a service, product, company, etc)

Word History and Origins

Origin of lowball¹

low ¹ + ball ¹

Example Sentences

“They didn’t really haggle too much with me or try to start lowballing me at the beginning,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

He accused New York Attorney General Letitia James, an elected Democrat, of targeting him in a lawsuit to further her political career and accused Engoron of lowballing the value of his properties.

From Reuters

The alleged bribe – a free parking spot for the Interior Ministry official in return for a lowball valuation of some state land – appears modest.

From Reuters

Normally reserved and sometimes painfully quiet in interviews, Chubb opened up to reporters following Cleveland’s practice to discuss this growing trend of teams either underpaying or lowballing running backs.

From Washington Times

U.S. private equity giant Blackstone and Chinese insurer Ping An both paused high-profile Sydney office block sales this year after lowball bids, local media reported.

From Reuters