up-and-down

\\| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷\ adjective

Etymology: up (I) and down

1. : marked by alternate upward and downward movement or action

an odd up-and-down gait

in his natural up-and-down voice — I.S.Cobb

many such up-and-down years — Thomas Hughes

2.

a. : very steep : perpendicular

in the deep sand about a foot from a straight up-and-down bank — Ring Lardner

b. : direct, downright

an up-and-down quarrel

3. : marked by irregularity of surface; especially : having an irregular terrain : hilly, mountainous

an up-and-down place where the hotel has seven main entrances, each on a different floor — Geographical School Bulletin

4. Britain : rough-and-tumble

savage, desperate, up-and-down fighting — Charles Kingsley

• up-and-downness noun -es

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—up-and-downness, n.

/up"euhn down"/, adj.

1. moving alternately up and down: the up-and-down swing of levers; an up-and-down tune.

2. having an uneven surface: up-and-down countryside.

3. changeable: up-and-down luck.

4. perpendicular or nearly so: a straight up-and-down hillside.

[1610-20]

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upˈ-and-downˈ adjective

1. (see also ↑up and down below) undulating

2. Going or working both, or alternately, up and down

3. Downright (US)

noun (golf; informal)

An act of completing a hole from a position off the green by using one lofted shot and one putt

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Main Entry: ↑up

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up-and-down «UHP uhn DOWN», adjective.

1. a) occurring alternately upward and downward: »

The flapping of an insect's wings is no mere up-and-down motion (Scientific American).

b) alternately rising and falling; presenting variations comparable to movement up and down: »

The upsurge in farmer benefits will be temporary…since an up-and-down trend appears every time the act is extended to a new group (Wall Street Journal).

2. perpendicular; erect: »

up-and-down stripes.