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off and on
Also, off again, on again ; on again, off again . Uncertain, vacillating, as in Theirs is an off again, on again relationship , or The peace talks are on again, off again . Some believe this term originally referred to minor railroad accidents, where a train went off track and then on again. [Mid-1800s]
Intermittently, from time to time. For example, I read his column off and on , or We've been working on the garden all summer, on and off . [Early 1500s]
Idioms and Phrases
Also, on and off .Example Sentences
“I never understood how a surgeon could operate for 20 hours,” said Gordon, 55, who has been director of Villa Aurora off and on since 2002 and is also director of administration for both houses.
There were parts in light comedies both off and on Broadway, which led first to minor television roles and then to some film work.
After months of living off and on in a nearby tent camp, Samar and Abdullah reclaimed their shattered house late last year.
It’ll be common for the rain that does appear to be light, and appear off and on throughout the weekend into Monday.
“I’ve grown up and lived here off and on for 50 years. I’ve never in my entire time here experienced this.”
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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