tradeoff
gb/tɹˈeɪdˌɔf/ us/tɹˈeɪdˌɔf/
B2
English
kompromisszum
NOUN
B2
1
Usage pattern:
a tradeoff between [something] and [something]; a tradeoff of [something] for [something]
The design involves a tradeoff between battery life and performance.
A tervezés az akkumulátor üzemideje és a teljesítmény közötti kompromisszummal jár.
Working from home offers flexibility, but the tradeoff is less face-to-face contact with colleagues.
Az otthoni munkavégzés rugalmasságot kínál, de ennek az az ára, hogy kevesebb a személyes kapcsolat a kollégákkal.
There is often a tradeoff between keeping prices low and paying suppliers more.
Learner examples
There is a tradeoff between speed and safety.
A gyorsaság és a biztonság között kompromisszumot kell kötni.
The cheaper phone has a tradeoff: the camera is not very good.
Az olcsóbb telefonnál az a kompromisszum, hogy a kamerája nem túl jó.
Common mistake:
The noun is often written "tradeoff" or "trade-off." The verb is two words: "trade off."
Meaning
Compromise between competing benefits
Collocations
a tradeoff between cost and quality
|make a tradeoff
|accept a tradeoff
|involve a tradeoff
|a difficult tradeoff
|an inevitable tradeoff
|a cost-benefit tradeoff
|a speed-accuracy tradeoff
|a privacy-security tradeoff
|a design tradeoff
Synonyms
compromise (Broader; often emphasizes settling for less than ideal.)
|
balance (Emphasizes weighing or managing opposing factors.)
|
exchange (Emphasizes giving one thing for another, with less focus on loss.)
|
sacrifice (Emphasizes the thing given up rather than the whole choice.)
Antonyms
win-win (A situation where benefits are gained without a meaningful sacrifice.)
Themes
decision_making
|business
|technology
|daily_life
Definition
A situation where you gain one thing but lose or reduce another thing.
A choice, situation, or relationship in which getting more of one useful or desirable thing means accepting less of another thing, or accepting a disadvantage.
Grammar
Dictionary form
tradeoff
IPA
GB/tɹˈeɪdˌɔf/
US/tɹˈeɪdˌɔf/
Syllables & stress
tradeoff (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (tradeoff)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: tradeoff
- Plural: tradeofves
Expressions
make a tradeoff
1/mˈeɪk ə tɹˈeɪdˌɔf/
fixed phrase
Accept a gain-loss choice
To choose one benefit even though you must give up another benefit.
Examples
- You may have to make a tradeoff between low rent and a short commute.
- We made a tradeoff: the website loads faster, but the images are less sharp.
- The city made a tradeoff to reduce traffic, but parking became harder.
Learner examples
- I made a tradeoff and bought the cheaper bike.
- We made a tradeoff between price and quality.
trade off
1/tɹˈeɪd ˈɔf/
phrasal verb
Balance competing options
To accept having less of one thing so you can have more of another thing.
Examples
- You have to trade off quality against price when shopping.
- In this job, we often trade off speed for accuracy.
trade off
1/tɹˈeɪd ˈɔf/
phrasal verb
Sacrifice one thing for another
To lose or reduce one thing so you can get something else.
Examples
- The engineers traded off image quality for faster loading times.
- Parents often have to trade off convenience against cost when choosing childcare.
- She traded off higher pay for more flexibility.
Learner examples
- We traded off speed for comfort.
- I traded off a big apartment for a shorter trip to work.
tradeoff analysis
1/tɹˈeɪdˌɔf ænˈælɪsɪs/
fixed phrase
business
Systematic comparison of compromises
A careful study of what you gain and lose with different choices.
Examples
- Before choosing a supplier, the team conducted a tradeoff analysis of cost, quality, and delivery time.
- The tradeoff analysis showed that the cheapest option carried the highest risk.
- A simple tradeoff analysis helped them decide whether to add the new feature.
Learner examples
- The team used a tradeoff analysis to choose the best plan.