back-and-forth

back–and–forth

noun

Definition of BACK-AND-FORTH

1

a giving or taking of one thing of value in return for another <after the usual back-and-forth of official gifts, the two leaders entered into a serious discussion>

Synonyms back-and-forth, barter, commutation, dicker, quid pro quo, swap, trade, trade-off, truck

Related Words replacement, substitution; reciprocation, recompense, requital; bargain, deal, horse trade, negotiation, transaction; bargaining, dealing, dickering, haggling, horse trading; logrolling

2

an exchange of views for the purpose of exploring a subject or deciding an issue <the others listened with relish to the back-and-forth between the two noted professors>

Synonyms argument, argumentation, argy-bargy [chiefly British], back-and-forth, colloquy, confab, confabulation, conference, consult, consultation, council, counsel, debate, deliberation, dialogue (also dialog), give-and-take, palaver, parley, talk

Related Words bull session, chat room, forum, meeting, powwow, roundtable, seminar, skull session (also skull practice), symposium, talkathon; chat, conversation, rap, words; discourse, disquisition; bargaining, consultancy, negotiation, pourparler