[give] and [take]
1
(of two or more parties) to agree with each other's terms or opinions in order to reach an agreement
The earliest recorded use of this phrase in English is in William Tyndale's translation of the Bible from 1526, where it appears in the Gospel of St. Luke: "For with what measure ye mete, with the same shall it be measured to you again" (Luke 6:38, KJV). The phrase became popular in the 17th and 18th centuries as a way of describing the process of bargaining or negotiating, particularly in business or political contexts. In the 20th century, it came to be used more broadly to describe any situation in which both parties are willing to compromise and make concessions to reach a mutually beneficial agreement.
- The couple had to give and take in order to make their marriage work.
- The two sides were able to reach an agreement after giving and taking.
- Successful partnerships require a willingness to give and take, ensuring that both parties feel their needs are met.
- In any relationship, there has to be some give and take for it to work.
- The negotiation required a lot of give and take before both sides agreed on the terms.