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give-and-take

1. A sharing; giving and receiving back and forth between people; a giving up by people on different sides of part of what each one wants so that they can agree.

Jimmy is too selfish. He has no notion of give-and-take with the other children but wants everything for himself.

There has to be give-and-take between two countries before they can be friends.

Compare: LIVE AND LET LIVE.

2. Friendly talking or argument back and forth. Friendly sharing of ideas which may not agree; also: an exchange of teasing remarks.

After the meeting there was a lot of give-and-take about plans for the dance.

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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms

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