give or take . give or take {v, phr.} To add or subtract. Used with a round number or date to show how approximate it is. The house was built in 1900, give or take five years. No categories: add yours Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms by A. Makkai, M.T. Boatner, J.E. Gates © 2024 To section: G Subscribe to: American IdiomsIdioms feedEnglish languageHome page and general feed Discuss