ebb and flow

Idioms  

1. A decline and increase, constant fluctuations. For example, He was fascinated by the ebb and flow of the Church's influence over the centuries. This expression alludes to the inward and outward movement of ocean tides. [Late 1500s]

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Example Sentences

History shows that Latin American stock markets are closely related with the ebb and flow of commodity markets.

From Barron's

Family relationships ebb and flow.

From MarketWatch

Hands fold together on “Weltita” as waves ebb and flow, and the warmth of a grandparent’s final forehead kiss lingers on “DTMF.”

From Los Angeles Times

While we waited in the packed room, I instinctively put my hand around the small of Lynda’s back to steady us from the ebb and flow of the crowd of people around us.

From Los Angeles Times

The line’s length does ebb and flow throughout the day, she said, reaching its longest on the days around Christmas and New Year’s, and on weekends when children are out of school for their winter breaks.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• oscillate
• seesaw
• vary
• veer
• waver