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

Their on-again, off-again relationship has been mired in cheating rumors, which are a central plot point in the TV show.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026

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

“In this environment—between the government shutdown; lack of data coming from the government; on-again, off-again nature of the tariffs; trade uncertainties; all of those things—it’s been difficult for anyone to do forecasting,” Shay said.

From Barron's • Nov. 6, 2025

The on-again, off-again trade war between the U.S. and China this year has been felt around the world.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 31, 2025

JORDIE: We've always had a kind of on-again, off-again thing.

From "Linked" by Gordon Korman