give-and-take

noun

ˌgiv-ən-ˈtāk 

1

: the practice of making mutual concessions : compromise

2

: a usually good-natured exchange (as of ideas or comments)

Synonyms

• argument
• argumentation
• argy-bargy [chiefly British]
• back-and-forth
• colloquy
• confab
• confabulation
• conference
• consult
• consultation
• council
• counsel
• debate
• deliberation
• dialogue
• dialog
• discussion
• palaver
• parley
• talk

Examples of give-and-take in a Sentence

a give-and-take about what we should do Saturday night

negotiating the terms of the deal will require some give-and-take on both sides

enjoyed the flirty give-and-take between the two romantic lead characters

Recent Examples on the Web

The United States cannot guarantee success in sensitive international negotiations in advance, least of all when a court imposes an absurdly compressed, mandatory deadline that vastly complicates the give-and-take of foreign-relations negotiations. —Laura Romero, ABC News, 8 Apr. 2025

Far from rejecting transactional diplomacy, regional leaders crave genuine give-and-take relationships in which their priorities receive consideration. —Matias Spektor, Foreign Affairs, 1 Apr. 2025

By early March, that give-and-take seemed to enter a critical stage. —David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025

But the polarized atmosphere made legislative give-and-take harder, Mr. Chen said. —Chris Buckley, New York Times, 23 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1679, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for give-and-take

• radiopaque
• ache
• ake
• bake
• brake
• break
• cake
• craik
• crake
• fake
• flake
• hake

Kids Definition

give-and-take

noun

ˌgiv-ən-ˈtāk

1

: the practice of all sides in a dispute settling for less than they want : compromise

2

: a good-natured exchange of ideas