Synonyms

on-again, off-again

American

[on-uh-gen awf-uh-gen, of-, awn-] / ˈɒn əˌgɛn ˈɔf əˌgɛn, ˈɒf-, ˈɔn- /

Or on-again-off-again

adjective

being in force or inoperative by turns, especially spasmodically and unpredictably.

an on-again, off-again romance.

off again, on again Idioms

see off and on, def. 2.

Etymology

Origin of on-again, off-again

First recorded in 1945–50

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.

But his on-again, off-again tariffs have roiled supply chains and financial markets.

From Barron's

Based on the book by Carola Lovering, the Hulu series centers on the toxic and manipulative on-again, off-again relationship between college students Lucy Albright and Stephen DeMarco — portrayed by real-life couple Grace Van Patten and Jackson White — whose distressing bond causes a ripple effect of chaos and turmoil for their friend group that stretches across eight years.

From Los Angeles Times

The chaotic on-again, off-again U.S. tariffs last year sparked frontloading of orders that accounted for some of China’s export rush.

From The Wall Street Journal

It had planned ahead and weathered the on-again, off-again trade war.

From BBC

A slow-developing, on-again, off-again love-and-marriage arc with schoolteacher Louisa Glasson, played by the divine Caroline Catz, made every season finale a cliffhanger.

From Los Angeles Times

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