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

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

   an on-again, off-again romance.

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off again, on again Idioms  

1. see off and on, def. 2.

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Etymology

Origin of on-again, off-again

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

In a truly extraordinary piece of timing, the New York Times reported on Thursday that the on-again, off-again interim U.S.

From Slate • Mar. 6, 2026

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

From Barron's • Feb. 25, 2026

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 • Jan. 14, 2026

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 • Jan. 4, 2026

Soon after McCandless returned to Carthage that spring, Westerberg introduced him to his longtime, on-again, off-again girl-friend, Gail Borah, a petite, sad-eyed woman, as slight as a heron, with delicate features and long blond hair.

From "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer