English

Alternative forms

• back-and-forth

Adverb

back and forth

1. From one place to another and back again.

Translations

Adjective

back and forth ‎(not comparable)

1. Going from one place or position to another and back again.

   The back and forth movement of the tide causes erosion of the coastline.

Translations

Noun

back and forth ‎(plural back and forths)

1. The movement (of someone or something) forward followed by a return to the same position. May refer to a concept such as an emotional state or a relationship as well as a physical thing.
   • 2009, Dorothy Rich, Megaskills for Babies, Toddlers, and Beyond: Building Your Child's Happiness, page 43:

     Roll the ball to your child, who then rolls it back to you. After a few back-and-forths, roll the ball to a nearby corner of the room or other hiding place.

2. (idiomatic) Negotiations or discussions between two or more parties, a dialog.
   • 1895, United States Congress, “Congressional serial set”, in (Please provide the title of the work), volume 11214, page 718:

     There's some back and forth between Simpson and his CIA counterparts and, in essence, the CIA says that you must ship all of the quantities requested.

Synonyms

• (negotiations): tug of war

Translations

See also

• to and fro