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
Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
While the offense has been up-and-down, the Texans defense has been outstanding.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
William Goodman, Men's Health, 8 Apr. 2023
Councilmember Marcus Bush said that repealing the cruising ban was not just about being free to take a person’s ride up and down a city street.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2023
See all Example Sentences for up-and-down 
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Adjective
Smith has had an up-and-down start to his professional career and was moved from the middle to the wing earlier this week.
—Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
While the offense has been up-and-down, the Texans defense has been outstanding.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
Adverb
On the courts of the Roundball Classic, Vaccaro forged connections with all kinds of coaches and athletes up and down the East Coast.
—William Goodman, Men's Health, 8 Apr. 2023
Councilmember Marcus Bush said that repealing the cruising ban was not just about being free to take a person’s ride up and down a city street.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2023
See all Example Sentences for up-and-down
Dictionary Entries Near up-and-down
Cite this Entry
“Up-and-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/up-and-down. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
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