give and take

1. noun The exchange of mutual compromise or concession; negotiation, bargaining, or compromise. Sometimes hyphenated. 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. Love requires give and take. Without cooperation and compromise, no relationship will last.

2. noun Lively two-way discussion; the exchange of ideas or conversation. Sometimes hyphenated. 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. You're clearly not interested in give and take with us because you won't even listen to what we have to say! Some give-and-take with your students will tell you where the school needs to invest more time and money.

3. verb To compromise or concede; to negotiate, bargain, or compromise. You have to be willing to give and take when you enter politics, otherwise nothing will ever get done. If Susan and her husband aren't willing to give and take, their marriage will be short-lived. If both sides would just give and take a little bit more, we'd have these negotiations wrapped up by now.

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. It's too early to give and take with you guys. Come back after I've had at least one cup of coffee. Hey, good news—the headmaster has agreed to give and take with us about a new senior lounge!

lot of give-and-take

1. Fig. a lot of two-way discussion. It was a good meeting. There was a lot of give-and-take, and we all learned.

2. Fig. a lot of negotiating and bargaining. After an afternoon of give-and-take, we were finally able to put all the details into an agreement.