treat with the enemy for peace (is this phrase idiomatic?)

Question

treat with the enemy for peace

'treat' is used like: treat people with respect

I wonder if the phrase above is idiomatic or not.

The phrase doesn't really make sense in its current form.
Maybe it should be Treat the enemy with respect. — MeltingDog, Oct 27 '21 at 06:51
@MeltingDog - No, "treat" is a verb meaning "negotiate for a treaty". James K's answer below is correct. — Richard Winters, Oct 27 '21 at 07:33
I'm assuming that you saw this on one of the various dictionary sites where this exact phrase appears as an example for translators. — James K, Oct 27 '21 at 15:52

score 8 · Accepted Answer · answered Oct 27 '21 at 06:58

8

This usage is becoming archaic, but you occasionally see it. It means "negotiate or make a deal with". The word "treaty" comes from this sense.

So the meaning of the phrase is not like "treat people with respect", but "negotiate a peace treaty."

answered Oct 27 '21 at 06:58

James K

Though it'd be pretty hard getting someone to sign a peace treaty if you don't treat them with respect... – Darrel Hoffman Oct 27 '21 at 17:20
1

I dunno, The allies didn't treat Nazi Germany with respect in 1945. – James K Oct 27 '21 at 17:43

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