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give and take

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give and take

1. noun (sometimes hyphenated) The exchange of mutual compromise or concession; negotiation, bargaining, and/or compromise. There's always going to be some give and take when new legislation is introduced in politics. You won't get far in this business if you aren't willing to allow a little give-and-take with your competitors.

2. noun (sometimes hyphenated) Lively two-way discussion; the exchange of ideas or conversation. The purpose of this meeting is to have a bit of give-and-take between employees and the management for ideas on the direction of the company.

3. verb To compromise or concede; to negotiate, bargain, and/or compromise. You have to be willing to give and take when you enter politics, otherwise nothing will ever get done.

4. verb To engage in lively two-way discussion; to exchange ideas or conversation. The university has set up an online forum so students are able to give and take with the administration.

See also: and, give, take

give and take

the exchange of some of what you want for some of what someone else wants We reached an agreement after many hours of bargaining and give and take.

See also: and, give, take

give and take

1. The practice of compromise, as in Every contract involves some give and take. This expression was first recorded in 1778, although the verbal idiom, to give and take, was used from the early 1500s.

2. Lively exchange of ideas or conversation, as in The legislature is famous for raucous give and take. [Second half of 1800s]

See also: and, give, take