off and on

Idioms  

1. Also, on and off.

2. Intermittently, from time to time. For example, I read his column off and on , or We've been working on the garden all summer, on and off . [Early 1500s]

3. Also, off again, on again ; on again, off again . Uncertain, vacillating, as in Theirs is an off again, on again relationship , or The peace talks are on again, off again . Some believe this term originally referred to minor railroad accidents, where a train went off track and then on again. [Mid-1800s]

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Example Sentences

We looked for the blanket off and on the rest of that day, although Alice said it would be better if we didn’t find it.

From Literature

I engaged in the ancient ritual of turning the phone off and on again.

From The Wall Street Journal

“A somewhat happy existence, off and on, which is normal. And hopefully, if the person wants to pursue that, some kind of a personal relationship.”

From Los Angeles Times

I know people are chapped about start/stop systems, which cycle engines off and on when the vehicle is not moving, in order to save fuel.

From The Wall Street Journal

He lived there as a kid, and as an adult stayed at the house off and on.

From Los Angeles Times