And he inadvertently invited competition by initially tossing out a low-ball bid.

Over the summer, I was seduced by a low-ball bid from a demolition man.

The other offers were low-ball bids.

In addition, the nature of the publicity that attended the Ueberroth deal has encouraged low-ball bids which will never be accepted.

The American plan, announced today by President Clinton in Washington, represents the low-ball bid.

Note the plural "contracts" - after a low-ball bid, a later contract was much more lucrative - and his clear indication that his son joined him in denial.

Marginal contractors won awards with low-ball bids, and then failed to meet the contracts' standards.

But several analysts said the offer was a 'low-ball' bid.

Most of London's financial district seemed puzzled by the low-ball bid, especially as any deal would probably require the full support of the exchange's management.

No one questions the buyer's right to make a low-ball bid, but their problem is that sellers are rejecting the offers.