twist and turn

present singular third person twists and turns · participle present twisting and turning · participle past twisted and turned · past twisted and turned

1. intransitiveTo move one way then the other, or in unpredictable erratic gyrations.

   The narrow streets that twist and turn through the compact heart of Dent are surfaced with cobbles which, in the absence of pavements, spread right across from doorstep to doorstep.

   1980, AA Book of British Villages, Drive Publications Ltd, page 150

   2 more examples

   To get through the hills with as little expense as possible it was decided to lay the line on the banks of the River Derwent, which twists and turns as it follows the valley. Consequently the railway twists and turns as well, […].

   1960 March 28, K. Hoole, “From York to Scarborough—1”, in Railway Magazine, page 154

   Vardy had a hand in the opening goal. Twisting and turning on the edge of the 18-yard box, the England international was clumsily brought down by Vicente Iborra, wide on the Leicester left.

   2017 March 14, Stuart James, “Leicester stun Sevilla to reach last eight after Kasper Schmeichel save”, in the Guardian

   Synonyms: jactitate, vertiginate