up-and-down

American  

[uhp-uhn-doun] / ˈʌp ənˈdaʊn /

adjective

1. moving alternately up and down.

   the up-and-down swing of levers; an up-and-down tune.

2. having an uneven surface.

   up-and-down countryside.

3. changeable.

   up-and-down luck.

4. perpendicular or nearly so.

   a straight up-and-down hillside.

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up-and-down British  

adjective

1. moving, executed, or formed alternately upwards and downwards

2. very steep; vertical

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adverb

1. backwards and forwards (along)

Other Word Forms

• up-and-downness noun

Etymology

Origin of up-and-down

First recorded in 1610–20

Example Sentences

It also fits with his theory that the simulation encourages an up-and-down story arc, not a linear one.

From The Wall Street Journal

U.S. natural gas futures continued to trade in an up-and-down pattern after last week’s big selloff, settling higher with a slight cooldown in midday weather runs.

From The Wall Street Journal

Moore’s departure ends an up-and-down tenure at the University of Michigan.

From MarketWatch

The overarching up-and-down dynamic starts with the fact that sellers have been coming in near the market’s highs to knock stock prices lower because investors and traders know that the more artificial-intelligence spending happens today, the greater the likelihood that the spending will collapse tomorrow.

From Barron's

Mrs. Clarke spoke in that overly sweet, up-and-down singsong tone grown-ups sometimes use to steer children past awkward moments.

From Literature