to and fro
The phrase "to and fro" describes a repeated movement back and forth, often used to depict both physical and metaphorical oscillations.
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Definition
B2General
(common, idiomatic)Moving repeatedly from one place to another and back again.
Example
- The boat rocked to and fro with the waves.
- She paced to and fro while thinking about the problem.
B2General
(common, idiomatic)Alternating between two positions or states.
Example
- The discussion went to and fro without reaching a conclusion.
- His emotions swung to and fro between hope and despair.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "to and fro":
toing and froingback and forthhither and thitherup and downfore and aftback to frontcoming and goinggo both ways