PhrasesHub

went back and forth

    Definitions

      • indecisiveness
        Describing a situation where someone is unable to make a decision and keeps changing their mind

      • argument or negotiation
        Referring to a back-and-forth exchange of opinions or proposals during a discussion or negotiation

    Examples of went back and forth

    • The two negotiators went back and forth for hours, debating the finer points of the contract.

      This idiom is used to describe a back-and-forth or back-and-forth discussion or negotiation that continues for a significant amount of time. The negotiators alternatively presented their arguments and counterarguments, ultimately coming to a resolution. This idiom can also be used to describe a more informal, back-and-forth conversation between two people with opposing viewpoints.

    • I couldn't decide which color to paint the room, so I went back and forth for days, trying to make a decision.

      This idiom can also be used to describe a more personal, decision-making process that involves ongoing consideration of multiple options. In this example, the speaker couldn't determine which color to choose, so they repeatedly paused and reversed their consideration of different colors, ultimately reaching a decision.

    • The weather went back and forth all week, with sun and rain alternating each day.

      This idiom can also be used to describe any fluctuation between two opposing things. In this example, the weather changed frequently throughout the week, varying between sunshine and rain.

    • The candidates for leadership went back and forth, each making compelling arguments for why they should be chosen.

      This idiom can also be used to describe a deliberative process between multiple individuals vying for a position. In this example, each candidate presented their qualifications and reasons for why they should be selected, with the others responding and countering their arguments.

    • Sarah and Mark argued about the best place to go on vacation. They went back and forth for hours, neither one willing to compromise.

      The phrase "went back and forth" in this context means that Sarah and Mark took turns making their arguments and responding to each other's points, without reaching a decision.

    • The prices of the stocks in the market have been fluctuating wildly today. They keep going back and forth, making it difficult to predict whether they will go up or down.

      In this example, "going back and forth" indicates that the prices are constantly changing direction, making it uncertain which way they will move next.

    • During the presentation, the presenter kept changing his mind about which direction to take. His ideas went back and forth, making it confusing for the audience to follow along.

      Here, "went back and forth" implies that the presenter was indecisive and uncertain, causing confusion for his listeners.

    • Jim and Emily were trying to decide on a restaurant for dinner. They went back and forth between Italian and Mexican, finally settling on Italian after a long discussion.

      This example shows how "going back and forth" can describe a back-and-forth decision-making process until a conclusion is reached.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "went back and forth" can be used to describe both indecisiveness and a back-and-forth exchange of opinions or proposals during a discussion or negotiation. It is a versatile idiom that can be applied to various situations where there is a sense of uncertainty or a continuous exchange of ideas.

    Origin of "went back and forth"

    The origin of the idiom "went back and forth" can be traced back to early English usage. The phrase "back and forth" has been used to describe the movement of something in one direction and then in the opposite direction since the 16th century. Over time, it evolved to be used figuratively to describe the exchange of opinions or the indecisiveness of a person. The idiom has stood the test of time and is still widely used in modern English to convey the concepts of indecisiveness and negotiation.

    Examples of its usage can be found in literature and everyday conversations, making it a well-established and commonly understood idiom in the English language.