Synonyms

in-and-out

American

[in-uhnd-out, -uhn-] / ˈɪn əndˈaʊt, -ən- /

adjective

in or participating in a particular job, investment, etc., for a short time and then out, especially after realizing a quick profit.

noun

Manège. an obstacle consisting of two fences placed too far apart to be cleared in one jump and too close together to allow more than one or two strides between.

Etymology

Origin of in-and-out

First recorded in 1640–50, for an earlier sense

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Late Wednesday, a sort of crypto jury that handles Polymarket disputes ruled that the quick, in-and-out rescue mission satisfied the terms of the contract.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026

Perhaps this could all be done more quickly than securing the Strait of Hormuz or occupying Kharg, but it’s not an in-and-out operation like Venezuela.

From Slate • Apr. 1, 2026

Joshua eventually made a swift in-and-out appearance about an hour after Paul weighed in, looking trim and in shape.

From BBC • Dec. 18, 2025

The two of us were practicing crossovers and in-and-out dribbles under the streetlight.

From Salon • Mar. 21, 2023

All that fluttering, that color, yellow against blue, the in-and-out movement of their wings.

From "The Thing About Jellyfish" by Ali Benjamin

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023