give and take
A process of compromise or accommodation.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“Every good relationship needs some give and take.”
“To finish the project on time, the team had to use a little give and take regarding their schedules.”
“Successful diplomacy often requires a difficult period of give and take before both nations can finally agree on a lasting peace treaty.”
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be taken ill
To become ill.
- 02
cross to take up
Alternative form of cross to bear.
- 03
don't give up your day job
Somewhat sarcastic but usually good-natured advice used to criticise a person's degree of talent (especially in music or other performing arts), implying that they are unlikely to be successful.
- 04
forget to take one's medication this morning
To be annoyed or irritable, or to behave in an ill-mannered way, particularly in the morning.
- 05
get taken in
To be fooled; to fall for.
- 06
give a damn
To be concerned about, have an interest in, to care (about something).
- 07
give a fuck
To care; to give a shit.
- 08
give a good account of oneself
To act in a creditable manner.
Last updated August 10, 2026