give and take

First use appears c. 1769. See cite below.

• Audio (General Australian):

  (file)

give and take (uncountable)

1. (idiomatic) A process of compromise or accommodation.

   They hoped for an amicable solution, but both knew it would require some give and take.

   • 1769, St. James's Chronicle:

     Will be run for on Huish Downs..A Free Plate of ₤50. Give and Take, by any Horse, Mare, or Gelding.

   • 1966, Holland–Dozier–Holland, “You Can't Hurry Love”, in Hello, I Must Be Going!‎^[1], performed by Phil Collins, published 1982:

     My mama said "you can't hurry love / No, you'll just have to wait" / She said "love don't come easy / But it's a game of give and take"

• accommodation, compromise, concession, flexibility

• inflexibility, rigidity, stubbornness