Definition

1. Adverb:
   • Alternately upward and downward: Describes a repeated movement in one direction and then the opposite, typically vertically.
   • Backward and forward along a given course: Describes a repeated movement from one end to the other of a defined path or area.
   • Throughout an area; everywhere within a place: Indicates movement or occurrence in all parts of a specified location.

Usage Examples

• Adverb:
  • The boat bobbed up and down on the waves. (Illustrates vertical movement.)
  • He paced up and down the hallway, waiting for news. (Illustrates movement along a path.)
  • I've looked for my keys up and down the entire house. (Illustrates searching everywhere within an area.)

Advanced Usage

• "to look someone up and down": To examine someone carefully from head to toe, often in a critical or assessing manner.
  • The guard looked the visitor up and down before allowing him to enter.

Variants and Related Words

• Up-and-down (adjective): Having many rises and falls; variable or inconsistent.
  • The stock market has had an up-and-down year.
  • Their relationship has been very up-and-down.

Synonyms

• Back and forth: Moving in one direction and then the opposite.
• To and fro: Moving backward and forward.
• All over: In or to many places throughout an area.

Related Phrases

• Ups and downs (idiomatic noun phrase): A mixture of good and bad periods or experiences.
  • Every marriage has its ups and downs.

Adverb

1. alternately upward and downward
   • he eyed him up and down
2. moving backward and forward along a given course
   • he walked up and down the locker room
   • all up and down the Eastern seaboard