ups and downs
Americanplural noun
plural noun
Etymology
Origin of ups and downs
First recorded in 1650–60
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
His start Monday, much like his season, had its ups and downs.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 21, 2026
Heineken says trying new ways to power its beer making will help it weather potential energy ups and downs in the future.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 2026
"Semiconductors are an industry with a lot of ups and downs," she said.
From Barron's ● Jul. 15, 2026
He has had his ups and downs since, even being excluded from head coach Thomas Tuchel's squad at one point.
From BBC ● Jul. 12, 2026
But Billy didn’t want to read about the same ups and downs over and over again.
From "Slaughterhouse-Five" by Kurt Vonnegut
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
