"more than they bargained for" is not a phrase that I think about. I know what it means, but it's always used as a set phrase.
"Bargaining chip" is a bit more obvious, though. I admit, it does mean that, but I still think of it as a thing instead of 2 separate words. Right up until you pointed it out.
Even "you drive a hard bargain" comes through my head full of meaning, and I have to think about the word itself to realize it means that.
So a point of clarification: I've never heard the word used that way that wasn't part of a colloquial phrase.
"Bargaining chip" is a bit more obvious, though. I admit, it does mean that, but I still think of it as a thing instead of 2 separate words. Right up until you pointed it out.
Even "you drive a hard bargain" comes through my head full of meaning, and I have to think about the word itself to realize it means that.
So a point of clarification: I've never heard the word used that way that wasn't part of a colloquial phrase.