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

See Examples For:

up-and-down

The hiring rate has shown a similar up-and-down pattern.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 4, 2026

Crude futures settled lower in an up-and-down session with conflicting expectations for an agreement to end the U.S.-Iran stalemate.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 22, 2026

He said it has been an "up-and-down" season for Celtic but his team are still very much in the mix after their win at Fir Park.

From BBC ● May 14, 2026

“It’s been, obviously, an up-and-down season,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 11, 2026

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

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood