compare notes

To discuss one's feelings on or experience of someone or something with another person. This afternoon, we'll have to compare notes on the applicants we've interviewed so far. Wait, she actually liked the performance? OK, we definitely need to compare notes then! Let's compare notes on the research projects tonight—I want us to be in complete agreement before awarding funding to any of them.

See also: compare, note

compare notes

Exchange information, observations, or opinions about something, as in Michael and Jane always compare notes after a department meeting. This term originally referred to written notes. [c. 1700]

See also: compare, note

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

compare notes

exchange ideas, opinions, or information about a particular subject.

See also: compare, note

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

compare ˈnotes (with somebody)

exchange ideas or opinions with somebody, especially about shared experiences: We met after the exam to compare notes on how well we had done.

See also: compare, note

compare notes

To exchange ideas, views, or opinions.

See also: compare, note

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

compare notes, to

To exchange opinions, impressions, or information. The original meaning referred to written notes, but the phrase soon included verbal exchanges as well. It was known by at least 1700. In 1712 Richard Steele wrote (in the Spectator), “They meet and compare notes upon your carriage.”