trading fours

A jazz music term, indicating a pattern in which two solo instruments alternately play 4 measures each.

Engaging in senseless or pointless argument.

"You better move now little darlin' or you'll be
trading fours with the Jack of Speed" . . .
Steely Dan's 'Jack of Speed' from Two Against Nature, 2000

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traded four's

A jazz phrase. To trade 4's means to alternate 4 bar phrases, usually of improvization.

Tonight I traded four's with a guy whistling Bolero tonight while walking down the street.

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