1 B2 idiomatic neutral
to accept a disadvantage in order to get an advantage
"You often have to trade off comfort against style."
inseparable
trade off
B2 neutral mixed transitive/intransitive
to balance one benefit against another cost or disadvantage
In plain English
accept losing one thing to gain another
What does "trade off" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic formal
to compare and balance competing factors in a decision
"The designers traded speed off against battery life."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
to exchange one thing against another
Actually means
accept losing one thing to gain another
Usage tip
Very common in business, policy, economics, and everyday decisions. Noun form 'trade-off' is also frequent.
Words that pair with "trade off"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
costs benefits speed quality risk efficiency
How to conjugate "trade off"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
trade off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
trades off
he/she/it
Past simple
traded off
yesterday
Past participle
traded off
have + pp
-ing form
trading off
continuous
Hear "trade off" in the wild
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Other ways to say "trade off"
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