trade something for something—give one thing in exchange for another, in place of money:
- The cargo consisted of textiles and antiquated firearms. These were traded on the coast for slaves, who were shipped to America.
trade something in for something—give smth. in part payment for smth. else (usually another article of the same kind):
- You will own the vehicle when your payment period ends. Choose to keep it, sell it or trade it in for a new vehicle.