back and forth

alternative back-and-forth

1. not comparableFrom one place to another and back again.

   1 more example

   One frigid November evening, the mood was buoyant as two dozen mostly older Chinatown residents poured into the center. One by one, they tossed their parkas on chairs and took turns at the karaoke machine. Soon, the room was alive with people dancing and singing under a haze of blue strobe lights. A projector flashed images of the Chinese countryside and women dancing in embroidered, silk costumes. Nearby, younger people darted back and forth at Ping-Pong tables.

   2026 March 24, Chris Serres, Danny McDonald, Mable Chan, The Boston Globe, retrieved 31 May 2026

   Synonyms: backwards and forwards

2. not comparableFlip-flopping between multiple options, courses of action, etc.

alternative back-and-forth

1. not comparableGoing from one place or position to another and back again.

   The back and forth movement of the tide causes erosion of the coastline.

present singular third person back and forths · participle present back and forthing · participle past back and forthed · past back and forthed · alternative back-and-forth

1. To go repeatedly in one direction, then the opposite, or to switch one's mind between two options repeatedly.

plural back and forths · alternative back-and-forth

1. countableuncountableThe movement (of someone or something) forward followed by a return to the same position. May refer to a concept such as an emotional state or a relationship as well as a physical thing.

   Roll the ball to your child, who then rolls it back to you. After a few back-and-forths, roll the ball to a nearby corner of the room or other hiding place.

   2009, Dorothy Rich with Beverly Mattox, Megaskills for Babies, Toddlers, and Beyond: Building Your Child's Happiness, page 43

2. countableuncountableNegotiations or discussions (not necessarily fruitful) between two or more parties; a dialog.

   It was months and months of back and forth, ah-ah, ah-ah You're still all over me like a wine-stained dress I can't wear anymore

   2014 October 27, Taylor Swift, Imogen Heap, “Clean (Taylor's Version)”, in 1989 (Taylor's Version), performed by Taylor Swift, published 27 October 2023

   1 more example

   There's some back and forth between Simpson and his CIA counterparts and, in essence, the CIA says that you must ship all of the quantities requested.

   1895, United States Congress, “Congressional serial set”, in (Please provide the book title or journal name), volume 11214, page 718

   Synonyms: tug of war