(also swop ) / swɒp; NAmE swɑːp/ verb , noun
■ verb ( -pp- )
1.
swap (sth) (with sb) | swap sth for sth to give sth to sb and receive sth in exchange :
[ v ]
I've finished this magazine. Can I swap with you?
[ vn ]
I swapped my red scarf for her blue one.
Can we swap places ? I can't see the screen.
We spent the evening in the pub swapping stories (= telling each other stories) about our travels.
[ vnn ]
I swapped him my CD for his cassette.
2.
[ v ] swap (over) to start doing sb else's job, etc. while they do yours :
I'll drive there and then we'll swap over on the way back.
3.
[ vn ] swap sb/sth (for sb/sth) | swap sb/sth (over) ( especially BrE ) to replace one person or thing with another :
I think I'll swap this sweater for one in another colour.
I'm going to swap you over. Mike will go first and Jon will go second.
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IDIOMS
see place noun
■ noun
1.
[ usually sing. ] an act of exchanging one thing or person for another :
Let's do a swap . You work Friday night and I'll do Saturday.
2.
a thing or person that has been exchanged for another :
Most of my football stickers are swaps.
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (originally in the sense throw forcibly ): probably imitative of a resounding blow. Current senses have arisen from an early use meaning strike hands as a token of agreement .