"Sweetening pot" is a phrase used to describe the act of offering incentives or rewards in order to persuade someone to agree to a particular arrangement or favor. The antonyms for "sweetening pot" would therefore be words or phrases that convey the opposite meaning, such as "threatening stick," which implies the use of fear or intimidation to achieve a goal, or "bare minimum," which suggests that no additional benefits or rewards will be provided beyond what is necessary. Other antonyms could include "hollow promises," "empty-handed," or "hard bargaining." Ultimately, these words reflect a different approach to negotiation, emphasizing toughness and pragmatism over persuasion and appeasement.