(the) ebb and flow (of something)

(the) ebb and flow (of something)
the ˌebb and ˈflow (of sth/sb) idiom
the repeated, often regular, movement from one state to another; the repeated change in level, numbers or amount

the ebb and flow of the seasons

She sat in silence enjoying the ebb and flow of conversation.

He had known her long enough to recognize the ebb and flow of her moods.

Main entry:ebbidiom

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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  • (the) ebb and flow of something — the ebb and flow of (something) the continually changing character of something. There is a normal ebb and flow in nature, for example, when there is just the right amount of rain and when there is not enough. Usage notes: often said about… …   New idioms dictionary

  • (the) ebb and flow of — the ebb and flow of (something) the continually changing character of something. There is a normal ebb and flow in nature, for example, when there is just the right amount of rain and when there is not enough. Usage notes: often said about… …   New idioms dictionary

  • (the) ebb and flow — the way in which the level of something frequently becomes higher or lower in a situation. The government did nothing about the recession, hoping it was just part of the ebb and flow of the economy. (often + of) …   New idioms dictionary

  • the ebb and flow — 1) the way that a situation keeps changing between two states, for example in a game, fight, or argument the ebb and flow of debate 2) a situation in which something keeps becoming larger or stronger, and then smaller or weaker the ebb and flow… …   English dictionary

  • ebb and flow — noun 1. : the alternate ebb and flood of the tide 2. : a condition or rhythm of alternate forward and backward movement or of alternate decline and renewed advance the ebb and flow of battle the ebbs and flows of business * * * ebb and flow, 1.… …   Useful english dictionary

  • flow — 1 noun 1 MOVEMENT OF LIQUID (countable usually singular) a smooth steady movement or supply of liquid: Smoking affects the flow of blood to the brain. 2 SUPPLY/MOVEMENT (countable usually singular) a continuous supply or movement of something… …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • flow — flow1 W2S2 [fləu US flou] n ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 1¦(liquid/gas/electricity)¦ 2¦(traffic)¦ 3¦(goods/people/information)¦ 4¦(speech/writing)¦ 5¦(of the sea)¦ 6 in full flow 7 go with the flow 8 go against the flow ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 1.) …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • ebb — ebb1 [ eb ] noun singular 1. ) ebb or ebb tide the process in which the ocean level on a coast becomes lower 2. ) a period when something gradually becomes smaller or less: an apparent ebb in the fighting be at/reach (a) low ebb to be in a very… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • ebb — [[t]e̱b[/t]] ebbs, ebbing, ebbed 1) VERB When the tide or the sea ebbs, its level gradually falls. As the tide ebbs, an ominous swell begins to run in. 2) N COUNT: usu the N The ebb or the ebb tide is one of the regular periods, usually two per… …   English dictionary

  • ebb — ebb1 [eb] n [: Old English; Origin: ebba] 1.) [singular] also ebb tide the flow of the sea away from the shore, when the ↑tide goes out ≠ ↑flood tide 2.) be at a low ebb to be in a bad state or condition ▪ His confidence is at a lo …   Dictionary of contemporary English

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