n. phr. 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.