up and down[adverb]Synonyms: thoroughly, completely, detailedly, exhaustively, in and out, inside out
[adjective]Synonyms: downright, flat, indubitable, unquestionable
[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲
up and down adverbial, prepositional, adjectival, & noun phr. [ʌp (ǝ)n 'daʊn] As adjective also
up-and-down.
ME.[from UP adverb1, adverb2 + AND conjunction1 + DOWN adverb.]A. adverbial & pred. adjectival phr.1. Alternately upwards and downwards, on or to a higher and lower level or plane;
fig. changeable, unstable;
colloq. (of a person) in varying health or spirits, alternately elated and depressed.
ME.■ C. S. Lewis Mrs. Moore is up and down; very liable..to fits of jealousy. ■ A. Wilson Looking Terence up and down, he added, 'A little training..would soon give you the physique needed.' Lydney (Glos.) Observer His health had been up and down since he left the pit in 1959.2. Here and there; to and fro; backward and forward; in every direction.
ME.■ G. Vidal Priests strolled up and down. Rail Locomotives..spend long periods of time..just shunting up and down.3. Here and there; in various places throughout a district, country, etc.
ME.■ E. Budgell With several Ribbons stuck up and down in it. ■ Browning Brother Lippo's doings, up and down, You know them?4. Upside down; topsy-turvy. Long
dial. ME.■ Milton This is the Pharisee up and down, 'I am not as other men are'.5. In or into a vertical position; vertically.
LME.6. In every respect; entirely, thoroughly, completely. Now
dial. M16.7. (Acting in) a straightforward or blunt manner.
colloq. (chiefly
US).
M19.b. prepositional phr.1. Backward and forward in; to and fro along or on.
LME.■ Steele Strolling up and down the Walks in the Temple.2. Here and there in or on; in various places throughout.
L16.■ Ld Macaulay Early in August hints..were whispered up and down London. Gardener Drought has caused problems for gardeners up and down the country.3. On or to a higher and lower level or plane in or on.
M17.C. attrib. adjective.
1. Of movement or action: directed or occurring alternately upwards and downwards or to or on a higher and lower level or plane; characterized by such movement or action.
E17.■ G. Paley I hummed a little up-and-down tune.b. Chiefly
Nautical. Adapted or used for hauling up and down.
L18.2. a. Perpendicular; very steep.
E18.■ C. Fiennes Such up and down steep hills.b. Direct, straightforward.
colloq. (chiefly
US).
M19.■ H. Kemelman I want a straight up-and-down vote without discussion.3. a. Having an uneven or irregular surface; consisting of ups and downs; undulating.
L18.b. fig. Changeable, variable;
colloq. (of a person) subject to changing moods, alternately elated and depressed.
E20.Listener Dalton had an up-and-down relationship with Crossman.4. Taking place to and fro or backward and forward; spent in moving about.
E19.■ M. R. Mitford She has, in the course of an up-and-down life, met with..many authors. ■ G. A. Sala The perpetual up-and-down flowing of the crowd.5. Of a fist-fight: continuing after one of the combatants is knocked down.
M19.6. Of or pertaining to up trains and down trains.
L19.D. noun phr. Pl.
ups and downs.
1. An up-and-down movement; a variation or alternation of condition, circumstance, quality, etc. Also foll. by
of. Usu. in
pl. M17.■ J. R. Lowell The regular up and down of the pentameter churn. ■ J. Carey Thackeray's life was punctuated by wild ups-and-downs of fortune. ■ M. French Discussing the ups and downs of the market.2. An irregularly undulating surface, lineation, etc.; an undulation. Usu. in
pl. L17.■ W. Cobbett The ups and downs of sea in a heavy swell. ■ up-and-downer noun (
slang) an up-and-down fight; a violent quarrel:
E20. [TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲