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• give-and-take
  give-and-take

  noun

  the practice of dealing by compromise or mutual concession; cooperation.
• give and take
  give and take

  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.

give-and-take

American  

[giv-uhn-teyk] / ˈgɪv ənˈteɪk /

noun

1. the practice of dealing by compromise or mutual concession; cooperation.

2. good-natured exchange of talk, ideas, etc.

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give-and-take British  

noun

1. mutual concessions, shared benefits, and cooperation

2. a smoothly flowing exchange of ideas and talk

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verb

1. to make mutual concessions

give and take Idioms  

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]

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Etymology

Origin of give-and-take

First recorded in 1760–70

Example Sentences

The European Union, with its cumbersome culture of consensus-building and give-and-take, was the most elaborate expression of that political way of life.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 19, 2026

Whatever the reason, it’s a shame that one of the couple’s final collaborative works — a very sweet and realistic tale of give-and-take — is all but missing from the documentary about their relationship.

From Salon • Oct. 18, 2025

Left behind was a tremendous give-and-take on a tough U.S.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 1, 2024

“But that’s what negotiation is about. It’s a give-and-take process — not a process where one side comes in and just gets everything that’s on their list.”

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 13, 2023

Something about their easy give-and-take makes me tired.

From "You Bring the Distant Near" by Mitali Perkins

Related Words

• banter
• reciprocity