swap

Related to swap: Swap Shop, Currency swap, Interest rate swap

Don't swap horses at midstream.

1. proverb Do not try to choose or back a different political figure for an election after the decision has already been made or the position filled. Many people are dissatisfied with the senator's performance but will likely carry his party's support through to the next election—don't swap horses at midstream, as the saying goes.
2. proverb By extension, do not make major changes to a situation or course of action that is already underway. I'm really not confident in the strength of my essay, but I guess I just have to see this one through at this point. Like they say, don't swap horses at midstream.
See also: horse, swap

Don't swap horses in the middle of the river.

1. proverb Do not try to choose or back a different political figure for an election after the decision has already been made or the position filled. Many people are dissatisfied with the senator's performance but will likely carry his party's support through to the next election—don't swap horses in the middle of the river, as the saying goes.
2. proverb By extension, do not make major changes to a situation or course of action that is already underway. I'm really not confident in the strength of my essay, but I guess I just have to see this one through at this point. Like they say, don't swap horses in the middle of the river.
See also: horse, middle, of, swap

Don't swap horses in the middle of the stream.

1. proverb Do not try to choose or back a different political figure for an election after the decision has already been made or the position filled. Many people are dissatisfied with the senator's performance but will likely carry his party's support through to the next election—don't swap horses in the middle of the stream, as the saying goes.
2. proverb By extension, do not make major changes to a situation or course of action that is already underway. I'm really not confident in the strength of my essay, but I guess I just have to see this one through at this point. Like they say, don't swap horses in the middle of the stream.
See also: horse, middle, of, swap

swap around

To exchange two or more people or things. A noun or pronoun can be used between "swap" and "around." We decided to swap our seats around to see if it affected the normal classroom discussion at all. Now, be sure not to swap around the dosages of these two medications, or you'll be in for a world of hurt! He swapped the two players around to confuse the other team.
See also: around, swap

swap for (someone or something)

1. To exchange or trade (something) for some period of time. A noun or pronoun can be used between "swap" and "for" to specify what is being traded or exchanged. A: "I really like the colored pencils you're using." B: "And I really like your markers. Let's swap for a while!" If you feel like you have an unequal relationship with your romantic partner, try swapping roles and responsibilities for a little while to gain some perspective from their point of view.
2. To exchange or trade someone or something for someone or something else. A noun or pronoun is used between "swap" and "for." Want to swap your cupcake for my chocolate bar? He fantasized about swapping his mediocre life for that of his wealthy, successful neighbor. I can't believe the team swapped their star quarterback for some rookie no one's ever heard of.
3. To initiate or solicit an exchange or trade with someone for something they possess. A noun or pronoun is used between "swap" and "for." Tommy always wants to swap me for the yummy treats my mom packs in my lunch. I would gladly swap you for your family—they're so normal compared to mine!
See also: swap

swap horses in midstream

1. To choose a new leader during a period of upheaval or uncertainty. The prime minister has been at the helm throughout the crisis. I just don't think we should swap horses in midstream.
2. To make major changes to a situation or course of action that is already underway. We're about to close on the house, and my husband suddenly wants to swap horses in midstream and look at another property!
See also: horse, midstream, swap

swap in (for someone or something)

1. To act as a substitute for someone or something. After the first quarter, I swapped in for Tom at tight end. Don't believe anyone who tries to convince you that low-fat cooking sprays can swap in for butter or oil without affecting the taste of your food.
2. To use, employ, or instruct someone or something to act as a substitute for someone or something else. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "swap" and "in." With a healthy 30-point lead, the coach swapped the rookie quarterback in to give him some experience on the field. Let's try swapping in a placebo for the active ingredient and see if it changes the outcome.
3. To trade or exchange something for something else. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "swap" and "in." I want to swap a few of my old video games in for the new one that just came out. I always swap in my old phone once the next model becomes available.
4. In computer science, to retrieve a variable in place of some similar or equivalent value. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "swap" and "in." You can use the library function to swap in a single line of code. The host may be swapping in the memory pages of the virtual memory from the swap file.
See also: someone, swap

swap notes

To share or exchange information (about someone or something) in a casual or informal manner. Opposing lawyers are always depicted as enemies on TV and in movies, but they are often friends outside of court who swap notes about other cases they're involved with. If you think that only guys swap notes on the people they've slept with, then you're just being naïve. Our exam is on Thursday, so Tom is coming over to swap notes and study with me.
See also: note, swap

swap notes about (someone or something)

To share or exchange information (about someone or something) in a casual or informal manner. Opposing lawyers are always depicted as enemies on TV and in movies, but they are often friends outside of court who swap notes about other cases they're involved with. If you think that only guys swap notes about the people they've slept with, then you're just being naïve. Tom is coming over to swap notes about our physics exam.
See also: note, swap

swap notes on (someone or something)

To share or exchange information (about someone or something) in a casual or informal manner. Opposing lawyers are always depicted as enemies on TV and in movies, but they are often friends outside of court who swap notes on other cases they're involved with. If you think that only guys swap notes on the people they've slept with, then you're just being naïve. Tom is coming over to swap notes on our physics exam.
See also: note, on, swap

swap out

To replace or exchange someone or something with another person or thing. A noun or pronoun can be used between "swap" and "out." I think I just need to swap out the batteries for this to start working again. It's a bad sign that they've had to swap their goaltender out after just the first ten minutes of play.
See also: out, swap

swap over

1. To exchange places, roles, or activities. I don't mind driving first—we can swap over once we're about halfway there. Well, originally I was in charge of marketing and Keith was in charge of sales, but we swapped over last fall.
2. To change or revert to an alternative thing or system. He said we should swap over to gas heating because it's more efficient than electric. I have to swap the sound system over to a different power source. Thankfully the airline swapped us over to an earlier flight at no extra cost.
See also: over, swap

swap spit(s)

slang To kiss passionately and with an open mouth; to French kiss. I went to see a movie with Tom and Janet, but they spent the whole time swapping spits! A: "Did you get lucky on your date last night, dude?" B: "We swapped spit for a while, but that's about it."
See also: swap

swap with (one)

To exchange or trade (someone or something) with one. A noun or pronoun can be used between "swap" and "with" to specify what is being exchanged or traded. I really like the colored pencils you're using. Will you swap with me? I know your family has been bugging you lately, but I'd swap mine with you any day. My brother wants to swap places with me for a while and see if anyone notices.
See also: swap
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

swap notes (on someone or something)

to share information on someone or something. The two girls sat around swapping notes on guys they knew. The mechanics were swapping notes on rude customers they had dealt with in the last month.
See also: note, swap

swap someone or something for (someone or something else)

to trade someone or something for someone or something else. I will swap my shortstop for your second baseman. There are times when I would gladly swap you for a new car—even an old car!
See also: swap

swap someone or something with someone

to exchange a person or thing for someone else's person or thing. The representatives of the two countries swapped spies with each other. Can I swap jackets with you?
See also: swap

swap with someone

to exchange someone or something with someone. I like yours better. I'll swap with you. If you don't want the sandwich you have, I will swap with you.
See also: swap
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

change horses in midstream, don't

Also, don't swap horses in midstream. It's unwise to alter methods or choose new leaders during a crisis, as in I don't hold with getting a new manager right now-let's not swap horses in midstream. This expression was popularized (although not originated) by Abraham Lincoln in a speech in 1864 when he discovered that the National Union League was supporting him for a second term as President.
See also: change, horse
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

change/swap horses in midˈstream

change to a different or new activity while you are in the middle of something else; change from supporting one person or thing to another: ‘I don’t believe in changing horses in midstream,’ he said. ‘Give this policy a chance before you think of changing it.’
See also: change, horse, midstream, swap

change/swap ˈplaces (with somebody)

(of two people, groups, etc.) exchange seats, positions, situations, etc: The Smiths can afford to go away a lot because they haven’t got a family to bring up. But I wouldn’t want to change places with them. Can you see the whiteboard where you are, or would you like to swap places?
See also: change, place, swap
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

swap around

v.
1. To exchange some set of things, moving each into the position of another: I swapped the screws around in the holes until I had them all in the right places. We bought several books from the bookstore and swapped them around between us.
2. To trade places: We each wanted to sit on the other side of the table, so we swapped around. I asked the man sitting in the window seat if he would swap around with me so I could see the ocean.
See also: around, swap

swap out

v.
To remove something and replace or exchange it: The program swapped out the contents of memory to make space for more data. I swapped the memory card out for a newer one.
See also: out, swap

swap over

v.
1. To exchange a part with some similar part: She swapped the flashlight's batteries over to see if the bulb had burned out. He swapped over the memory card for a new one.
2. Chiefly British To exchange positions or functions: When we reach London, let's swap over; you drive and I'll read the map.
See also: over, swap
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.

swap notes (on someone or something)

tv. to share information on someone or something. The mechanics were swapping notes on rude customers they had dealt with in the past month.
See also: note, on, someone, something, swap

swap notes

verb
See swap notes on someone or something
See also: note, swap

swap spits

tv. to kiss with someone. Tiffany and Wilbur were off somewhere swapping spits, I guess.
See also: spit, swap
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions

don't change/swap horses in midstream

Don’t change methods or leaders in the middle of a crisis. Although originating a quarter of a century earlier, the expression became famous through its use by President Lincoln in 1864 when he learned that his renomination for a second term was being backed by the National Union League. Several versions of his speech were recorded, some having it change and others swap.
See also: change, horse, midstream, swap
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • change horses in midstream, don't
  • teach a man to fish
  • it takes a village
  • village
  • a week is a long time in politics
  • a burnt child dreads the fire
  • burnt
  • best-laid plans go astray, the
  • the best-laid plans
  • the best-laid plans of mice and men
References in periodicals archive
Our empirical contributions are closely related to the theoretical work on swap spreads by Jermann (2016).
NEGATIVE SWAP SPREADS
"Every single swap has been so amazing an unique, it's just been fun the whole 18 months.
How one man was able to 'up-swap' a jar of cooking fat for a new car; Lester Hughes, 48, from Pwllheli in Wales, was sick of seeing 'like and share' competitions on Facebook so he started one of his own
SWAP Tesco ready to serve custard - 11.5g of sugar per 100g or nearly three teaspoons
SWAPFORA SWEETDEAL; EDITED BY SALLY MCLEANCut your sugar intake by tweaking your shopping list
Before the introduction of sanctions, Iran was an active participant in swap operations, which began in 1997 on the basis of signed contracts.
Data on Iranian crude oil swaps with Caspian states revealed
The country has been ratcheting up its foreign exchange reserves and swap deals since the global financial crisis in 2008 to bolster its defense against external shocks and crises.
More swaps expected after Korea-Canada deal
The official did not reveal the origin of the cargo but such swaps used to be made with Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan.
Caspian oil swaps to resume
The resolution allows banks to net out swap transactions if the settlement dates under swap agreements converge.
National Bank of Ukraine Streamlines a Special Liquidity-Providing Instrument Available to Banks
Other CFTC rules that either expressly include or expressly exclude certain types of swap activities from the definition of a "swap dealer" introduce further ambiguity.
What Corporate Treasurers Need to Know About Swap Dealer Registration
Our Existing Balance Sheet Our Pro-Forma Balance Sheet after the Swap
Yasheng Group Announces Asset Swap for Premium Value Crops
The Seacoast Food Swap meets once a month at different locations on the Seacoast, with Portsmouth as its hub.
Trade union: Seacoast Food Swap taps into a desire for back-to-basics bartering
WHY DON'T YOU TRY SOME SIMPLE SUGAR SWAPS DURING THE DAY?
Change4Life Sugar Swaps
A tax swap is one of the most common of all bond swaps.
Understanding Bond Swaps and Their Tax Benefits
entered into an interest rate swap on March II, 2015 for a fixed rate of 4.69% pursuant to a standard ISDA derivative contract, which shifts the floating risk from the borrower to a third party.
Interest rate swaps: don't play with matches
The Sugar Swaps campaign is aimed at young families who are being encouraged to sign up to receive their free pack which includes money-off vouchers, a fridge magnet with ideas of what to swap, and a booklet full of ideas and recipes.
Williams family swap sugary treats for more healthy options
Perth, Australia, January 26, 2015 --(PR.com)-- Available today, the app Swap It, allows users to offer and trade items and services with other users.
New iPhone App "Swap It" Promotes Alternative Economic System