working the hyphens

Verb

work the hyphens (third-person singular simple present works the hyphens, present participle working the hyphens, simple past and past participle worked the hyphens)

1. To facilitate an improvement in communication and understanding between oneself and a person or group with a differing perspective, by comparing and contrasting the differences and fostering mutual adaptation around them.
   • Thus, they simultaneously worked the hyphens of their mutual existences, forming at times a balanced equation, at other times highlighting the knowledge and strengths of one particular author.2000, Judith Glazer-Raymo, Estela Mara Bensimon, Barbara K. Townsend, Women in Higher Education: A Feminist Perspective, page 268