[Vocabulary] what verbs could it be?

[dilodi83]

Today I was talking to an American friend of mine and, since he knows that my girlfriend doesn't live in the same town where I live, he asked me how we usually meet. I answered him saying that (for example) one week I usually go to see her in (Or: to?) her town and the following week she comes to (Or: in?) my town...so we generally go on like this...
After saying this, he pronounced a verb and I caught the meaning but I'm not sure it's the one I've heard. Could it be trade off in a sentence like the one he said: "So you trade off"

Then he made another example with the same verb: My wife and I usually trade off in washing the dishes.

Now, do you think that's the correct verb?

 

[mayita1usa]

I answered him saying that (for example) one week I usually go to see her in (Or: to?) her town and the following week she comes to (Or: in?) my town...so we generally go on like this...

You are 100% correct:
I usually go to see her in her town and... she comes to my town

After saying this... he said: "So you trade off"
Then he made another example with the same verb: My wife and I usually trade off in washing the dishes.

Now, do you think that's the correct verb?

Yes, definitely. You trade off going to each other's home towns. Good catch! :up:
It's a somewhat informal expression; you could also substitute "take turns going..."

 

[riquecohen]

You "see her in her town" or you"go to her town."
'Trade off" doesn't really work in this context. Could he have said "alternate?"

 

[riquecohen]

I do not see how "trade off" works in this context. In a "trade off" you give up something in return for something else. You might have chosen to live in the country because of the fresh air and tranquility, but you've also given up all the cultural activities available in a city.

 

[Barb_D]

I see it working okay. I have to travel one weekend, then she has to travel one weekend. We trade off on the chore of driving.

 

[dilodi83]

You are 100% correct:
I usually go to see her in her town and... she comes to my town


Yes, definitely. You trade off going to each other's home towns. Good catch! :up:
It's a somewhat informal expression; you could also substitute "take turns going..."

Thanks so much for your answer :-D
But I couldn't find "trade off" with this particular meaning either on a dictionary or on the web...I have also checked a phrasal verb dictionary but it had this verb but with different meanings...so do you know where I could check it out and find this verb with this meaning?;-)

 

[Rover_KE]

Have you looked here?

If you're still not satisfied with the opinions of native speakers we'll just have to admit defeat.

Rover

 

[dilodi83]

Have you looked here?

If you're still not satisfied with the opinions of native speakers we'll just have to admit defeat.

Rover

Well, first off, I'd like to point out that I'm already satisfied with the options you all have given to me so far...of course you are all native speakers so I definitely trust you.
But I was simply saying that I didn't find the definition we were talking about before anywhere...and I hoped someone could help me...that's all.
The definion that seems to be the most appropriate is: An exchange of one thing in return for another even though I think that in this case the verb "trade off" means simply and clearly "to alternate, like someone suggested above...

Read more: tradeoff: Definition from Answers.com
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[bhaisahab]

Well, first off, I'd like to point out that I'm already satisfied with the options you all have given to me so far...of course you are all native speakers so I definitely trust you.
But I was simply saying that I didn't find the definition we were talking about before anywhere...and I hoped someone could help me...that's all.
The definion that seems to be the most appropriate is: An exchange of one thing in return for another even though I think that in this case the verb "trade off" means simply and clearly "to alternate, like someone suggested above...

Read more: tradeoff: Definition from Answers.com
​

I agree with riquecohen, "trade off" doesn't work for me in that context either. So, you see, some native speakers see it differently to others.;-)

 

[dilodi83]

I agree with riquecohen, "trade off" doesn't work for me in that context either. So, you see, some native speakers see it differently to others.;-)

Maybe, "to trade off" with that meaning is more used in American English...

 

[Rover_KE]

I agree with riquecohen, "trade off" doesn't work for me in that context either. So, you see, some native speakers see it differently to others.;-)

Fair comment.

Rover