BACK AND FORTH

Pronunciation (US):

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does back and forth mean? 

• BACK AND FORTH (adverb)
  The adverb BACK AND FORTH has 1 sense:

1. moving from one place to another and back again

  Familiarity information: BACK AND FORTH used as an adverb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• BACK AND FORTH (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Moving from one place to another and back again

Synonyms:

back and forth; backward and forward; to and fro

Context example:

the old man just sat on the porch and rocked back and forth all day

 Context examples 

I waved my hand back and forth, of course without effect; but when the moving shadow fell across his face I saw at once that he was susceptible to the impression.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

The scientists believe these pathways are found in two organisms that cycle arsenic back and forth in different forms.

(Arsenic-breathing microbes discovered in the tropical Pacific Ocean, National Science Foundation)

They move back and forth between marine and freshwater ecosystems to rebalance their salt levels — and to feed.

(Alligators, rulers of the swamps, link marine and freshwater ecosystems, NSF)

When Jupiter’s magnetic field changes, the aurorae on Ganymede also change, “rocking” back and forth.

(Hubble Observations Suggest Underground Ocean on Jupiter's Largest Moon, NASA)

It was a time of climate extremes that went back and forth unpredictably.

(Big dinosaurs steered clear of the tropics, NSF)

Once a cluster formed, the researchers moved the apparatus to pull the cluster back and forth, simulating the impact of wind pushing the branch upon which they hung.

(Bees Help Researchers Confirm Theory about Maintaining Protective Clumps under Tough Conditions, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

They rocked back and forth in a slow and hopeless way, and regularly, once every five minutes, Ebbits emitted a low groan.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

The energy of Jupiter will bounce back and forth between the two houses, and both will benefit.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

Sometimes, in the steaming, sizzling heat, as he swung the heavy irons back and forth over the white garments, it came to him that it was a dream.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

When a planet orbits a star, it triggers a small reflex movement back and forth.

(Researchers find two new planets with masses similar to Earth’s near a small neighbouring star, University of Granada)