English idiom that explains a cooperative/competitive business relationship?
So in Chinese we have the phrase “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” （三國义義) which references a historical period during which the state of power was constantly fluctuating, and parties would simultaneously make alliances when it suited them and yet still be jockeying to get the upper hand. Do we have an idiom relationship that describes the type of co-dependent and yet slightly love hate alliances. For example, the way the US, the UK and France feel about each other. In short, a less clunky way to describe an underlying “cooperative and yet competitive” relationship?
Observing members:
0
Composing members:
0
12 Answers
I have seen the term ‘coopetition’ in the business world. I am not sure if is the same concept when applied to politics.
Sort of like “frenemy”
It could be described as a kind of sibling rivalry between individuals who are not actually siblings. English does not have a simple phrase to describe this. It will take a sentence to lay it out so the reader can understand.
For example, “The two company directors had a type of sibling rivalry. They respected and liked each other, but this did not stop them from attempting to win business battles between themselves.”
What about a well known literary or historical reference? (In the way Judas, for example, is synonymous with betrayal). Or can even be a contemporary reference, just something that immediately illustrates this type of relationship…
A symbiotic relationship – but I can’t find any idioms that refer to such a situation.
Dog eat dog. Not quite right.
I also came up with a quote.
“A horse never runs so fast as when he has other horses to catch up and outpace.” – Ovid
Friendly competitors or friendly competition?
A marriage of convenience?
Friendly rivalry, perhaps.
‘Uneasy alliance” is a well known and understood phrase in English, and it can apply as well to business alliances as it does to political ones (where it is more common).
However, the single word “consortium” can fit the bill for business-only relationships between or among different business entities involved in a particular endeavor. It’s commonly understood that both (or all) of the businesses in the venture are “in the same business”, or they probably wouldn’t have joined in the consortium in the first place, and since they are in the same business it is understood and accepted that they are, in fact, rivals. But it’s also possible for them to put their rivalry somewhat to the side – at least as it concerns the common interests they share in the furtherance and successful outcome of the particular consortium arrangement – to make that happen.
Answer this question 
This question is in the General Section. Responses must be helpful and on-topic.
Composing members:
0
