up-and-down

1 of 2

adjective

ˌəp-ən(d)-ˈdau̇n 

ˌəp-ᵊm-

1

: marked by alternate upward and downward movement, action, or surface

2

: perpendicular

up and down

2 of 2

adverb

1

: to and fro

paced up and down

2

: so as to move upward and then downward repeatedly

jumping up and down

3

archaic : here and there especially throughout an area

4

: with regard to every particular : thoroughly

knew the territory up and down

up and down preposition

Examples of up-and-down in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Meanwhile, Trump’s up-and-down relationship with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has taken a particularly sour turn over the past several months as the Republican president has sought to rally international support for the war in Iran. —Steven Sloan, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026

Trump’s up-and-down relationship with Starmer has taken a particularly sour turn over the past several months as the Republican president has sought to rally international support for the war in Iran. —Steven Sloan, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2026

Adverb

Schumaker mentioned it after the win on Wednesday; the team needs more production up and down the lineup, and to not be top heavy. —Mac Engel april 30, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Apr. 2026

Pedal up and down gentle slopes with changing scenes; lush green trees transition to sweeping pastoral views. —Sarah Miller, Midwest Living, 29 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1755, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for up-and-down

• chinatown
• tumbledown
• adown
• blowdown
• breakdown
• countdown
• crackdown
• crosstown
• downtown
• drawdown
• dropdown
• facedown

Kids Definition

up-and-down

adjective

1

: marked by alternate upward and downward movement, action, or surface

2

: perpendicular entry 1 sense 1