trade off

B2 neutral mixed both

In simple words

accept losing one thing to gain another

Literal meaning: to exchange one thing against another

Meanings

1 B2 idiomatic neutral

common

to accept a disadvantage in order to get an advantage

"You often have to trade off comfort against style."

Grammar: inseparable

2 B2 idiomatic formal

common

to compare and balance competing factors in a decision

"The designers traded speed off against battery life."

Grammar: separable

Usage notes

Very common in business, policy, economics, and everyday decisions. Noun form 'trade-off' is also frequent.

costs benefits speed quality risk efficiency

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

Try:

Video examples are being collected. Check back soon.

balance weigh against offset compromise exchange one for another

Want to master this phrasal verb?