trade-off

or trade·off

[ treyd-awf, -of ]

noun

1. the exchange of one thing for another of more or less equal value, especially to effect a compromise.

trade-off

noun

1. an exchange, esp as a compromise

Word History and Origins

Origin of trade-off¹

First recorded in 1960–65; noun use of verb phrase trade off

Idioms and Phrases

Exchange one thing for another, especially as a compromise. For example, They were willing to trade off some vacation for the freedom to work flexible hours . This idiom gave rise to tradeoff for “an exchange.” [First half of 1800s]

Related Words

• arbitrate
• intercede
• interfere
• intervene
• negotiate
• resolve