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 give-and-take over bringing state workers into the office is playing out as public agencies take different approaches to remote work since the pandemic.

From Los Angeles Times

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

But also Eileen doesn’t quite know what that takes, what a relationship takes, the give-and-take.

From Los Angeles Times

Soon, talking to an actual human being—a person who deserved courtesy, empathy and genuine give-and-take—felt like squeezing into too-tight jeans after a month of living in sweatpants.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

Related Words

• banter
• reciprocity