trade off
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
To choose (something) in exchange for something else, where having both at once is not an available option.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
In the entry-level product category, the engineers had to trade off maximal durability for affordable upfront cost.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
To choose among options, where having them all at once is not an available option.
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “trade off” mean?
To choose (something) in exchange for something else, where having both at once is not an available option.
Is “trade off” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.