up and downadv.prep.adj.n.
/ˌʌp (ə)n ˈdaʊn/, U.S. /ˌəp ən ˈdaʊn/ A. adv.
1. figurative.c1374 G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde ii. 659 She..gan to casten and rollen vp and down with-inne here þought his excellent prowesse.c1450 Mirour Saluacioun (Roxb.) 149 Sekeing oft vp and doune of deth fande thay cause none rightwise.1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid x. ii. 100 All the hevynly wychtis dyd quhyspir and roun, In opynyonys full diuers, wp and doun.1587 D. Fenner Def. Godlie Ministers sig. Ri Although he knewe..the meaning of them, yet he turneth them vppe and downe as if they were riddles.1974 M. Birmingham You can help Me iv. 106 Robin had been exceptionally quiet at lunch... He usually showed off in front of visitors. Still, he did go up and down.
a. Alternately on or to a higher and a lower level or plane. Also in figurative context.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > alternating or reciprocating motion > to and fro [phrase] > up and down
up and downc1275
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 7124 He bi-heold þene wal up and dun ouer-al.
a1300 Cursor Mundi 2238 Þat ai quen we se ani chesun, Freli [we] may climb vp and dun.
c1340 Ayenb. 246 Þe lheddre..huerby þe angles..cliue op and doun.
c1400 Mandeville's Trav. (Roxb.) xxxi. 139 Fendez..fliez vp and doune in þe aer with grete thunders.
c1485 Digby Myst. (1882) iii. 1669 I fel ytt ster In my wombe vp and down.
1559 W. Cuningham Cosmogr. Glasse 29 Then rayse vp and downe the ruler..vnto the sonne.
1583 C. Hollyband Campo di Fior 27 Washe your mouth, and do the water up and downe in your throate.
1633 P. Fletcher Purple Island xii. lii. 171 Tost up and down in waves of worldly floud.
1680 in W. Hacke Coll. Voy. (1699) iii. 7 Which Ebbs and Flows here two Fathom up and down.
1712 J. James tr. A.-J. Dézallier d'Argenville Theory & Pract. Gardening 192 The short Cilinder..is moved up and down in the Barrel of the Pump.
1821 Ld. Byron Don Juan: Canto V lxxviii. 174 Wrestling both his arms into a gown, He paused, and took a survey up and down.
1889 M. Crommelin & J. M. Brown Violet Vyvian III. i. 6 She always stares me up and down at the meets.
1892 Photogr. Ann. II. 402 The action is up and down, without vibration.
b. figurative. With variation of success or fortune.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > change > alternation > change of fortune > [adverb]
up and down1430
vicissitudally1612
vicissitudinariously1715
the world > action or operation > adversity > calamity or misfortune > [adverb] > suffering vicissitudes
up and down1430
1430–40 J. Lydgate tr. Bochas Fall of Princes i. 2718 Ay the tribut & seruage off the toun Procedith foorth, thei constreyned wer so sore, Lich as ther lott turned up and doun.
c. figurative. (In predicative use, passing into adjective.) Varying, changeable, unstable. Now also often in sense ‘of varying quality’.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > change > [adverb]
inconstantly1549
changeably1567
changingly1580
variably?1591
fickle1596
unsettledlyc1598
mutably1611
changefully1615
up and down1643
veeringly1847
varyinglyc1862
kaleidoscopically1866
shiftily1878
modificationally1908
variationally1961
the world > time > change > changeableness > [adverb]
ficklya1300
unconstantlya1542
changefully1615
up and down1643
ticklish1661
titter-totter1673
upon the float1768
titubantly1861
weathercock-wise1874
wimble-wamble1890
rockily1895
1643 J. Caryl Nature Sacred Covenant 36 It is..most unsutable..for us to be up and downe, forward and backward, likeing and disliking, like that Double-minded man.
1645 S. Rutherford Tryal & Triumph of Faith 16 Men naturally beleeve, though they be but up and down with Christ, yet Christ doth so bear them at goodwill, as [etc.].
1649 R. Baxter Saints Everlasting Rest (new ed.) iv. 38 His Love to thee will not be as thine was..to him, seldom and cold, up and down.
1945 C. S. Lewis Let. 28 May (1966) 207 Mrs. Moore is up and down; very liable..to fits of bad jealousy.
2. Hither and thither; to and fro; backward and forward.
ΚΠ
a1200 Moral Ode 240 in Old Eng. Hom. I. 175 Ho..walkeð weri up and dun, se water deþ mid winde.
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 11513 Wiþ him to wende aboute, to sywe him vp & doun.
1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 4034 He ȝede yn hys celle vp and down.
c1386 G. Chaucer Nun's Priest's Tale 359 On hise toos he rometh vp and doun.
c1440 Cast. Persev. 2519 Up & doun þou take þe wey.
1508 W. Dunbar Goldyn Targe (Chepman & Myllar) in Poems (1998) I. 186 Thare saw I May..Within the gardyng walking vp and doun.
1582 N. Lichefield tr. F. L. de Castanheda 1st Bk. Hist. Discouerie E. Indias 93 b The enymyes were scouring up and downe in the Sea.
1659 D. Pell Πελαγος 55 Many of you walk up and down in the ships you have command of.
1692 R. L'Estrange Fables (1694) 251 You are so..given to squirting up and down, and chattering, that [etc.].
1713 J. Addison Cato iii. i Life wanders up and down Through all her Face, and lights up ev'ry Charm.
1740 S. Richardson Pamela I. xxxi. 187 She is up and down, so much, that I am afraid of her catching me.
1811 Ld. Byron Hints from Horace 478 And boys shall hunt your bardship up and down.
1872 Ld. Tennyson Last Tournament in Gareth & Lynette 130 Pacing moodily up and down.
3.
a. Here and there; at various points; esp. in several or diverse places throughout a district, country, etc.In very frequent use from c1635 to 1700.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being scattered or dispersed > scattered [phrase] > here and there
here and yonda1325
here and therea1375
up and downc1374
here and yonder1412
to and fro1617
c1374 G. Chaucer Compl. Mars 210 What availeth suche a longe sermon Of auentures of love vp and dovne.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 11444 Þai..spird him efter vp and dun.
1602 B. Jonson Poetaster i. ii. sig. Bv He..liu'd obscurely vp and down in Boothes & Tap-houses. View more context for this quotation
1680 R. L'Estrange Citt & Bumpkin 3 We had our Agents at all Publick Meetings,..all the Schools up and down.
1712 E. Budgell Spectator No. 277. ¶13 With several Ribbons stuck up and down in it.
1765 C. Johnstone Chrysal III. ii. iii. 155 A few of the eldest..gathered up and down into little sets.
1855 R. Browning Fra Lippo Lippi in Men & Women I. 37 Brother Lippo's doings, up and down, You know them?
b. Throughout the works of an author or authors.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > literature > [adverb] > throughout works of author(s)
up and down1668
1668 H. More Divine Dialogues: Two Last Dial. iv. ix. 31 Intimated up and down in the Gospels by our Blessed Saviour.
1699 A. Boyer Royal Dict. at Centon A Poem made up of several Pieces pick'd up and down from the Works of others.
1705 T. Hearne Ductor Historicus (ed. 2) I. i. iii. 40 To relate all the Witticisms scattered up and down in the Books of the Cabalists, about this Word.
4. Upside-down; topsy-turvy. Also figurative. Now south-western dialect.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > inversion > inverted [phrase]
upside downc1340
topset downe1569
up and down1591
upside downwards1611
topside down1725
(to fall) face on1856
1591 R. Percyvall Bibliotheca Hispanica Dict. at Trastornadura Ouerthrowing, turning vp and downe.
1602 W. Watson Decacordon Ten Quodlibeticall Questions Pref. sig. A 3v The Germaines (where the imperiall triple Crowne of Caesar yet remaines vp and downe).
1634 Malory's Most Anc. Hist. Prince Arthur i. cxiv. Z 4 b Syre launcelot charged so sore vpon him that his horse reuersed vp and downe.
1888–92 in Somerset and Devon dialect ( Eng. Dial. Dict. s.v.).
5. In or into a vertical position; vertically.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > vertical position > [adverb]
downrightsa1170
downrightc1225
adownrightsc1275
righta1325
plumbc1425
perpendiculara1527
perpendicularly1555
endlong1600
plumb-wise1613
vertically1646
up and down1669
plumbly1931
1669 S. Sturmy Mariners Mag. ii. 80 Set the end of the Cross-Staff to the outside of the Eye,..holding it right up and down.
1697 W. Dampier New Voy. around World x. 298 A long Yard that peeks up and down like a Mizen-yard.
1748 B. Robins & R. Walter Voy. round World by Anson ii. i. 112 We hove the cable right up and down.
1791 J. Smeaton Narr. Edystone Lighthouse §132 The..cable..had been hawled in so tight as to keep the swivel from striking the ground, when right up and down.
1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. 574 In anchor work, when the cable is in that condition, the boatswain calls, ‘Up and down, sir’.
1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. 707.
6. † b. Altogether; in all. Obsolete. rare.
a. In every respect; entirely, thoroughly, completely. Now dialect.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > completeness > completely [phrase] > thoroughly > from beginning to end or through and through
to the boneOE
through and throughc1225
out and outc1300
from top to tail1303
out and inc1390
(from) head to heel (also heels)c1400
(from) head to foot (also feet)c1425
from top to (into, unto) toec1425
to the skin1526
to one's (also the) finger (also fingers') ends1530
from first to last1536
up and down1542
whole out1562
to the pith1587
to the back1594
from A to (also until) Z1612
from clew to earing1627
from top to bottom1666
back and edge1673
all hollow1762
(all) to pieces1788
from A to Za1821
to one's (also the) fingertips1825
to one's fingernails1851
from tip to toe1853
down to the ground1859
to the backbone1864
right the way1867
pur sang1893
from the ground up1895
in and out1895
from soda (card) to hock1902
1542 N. Udall tr. Erasmus Apophthegmes f. 291v He was even Socrates up and down in this poincte.., yt noman ever sawe hym either laugh or wepe.
1579 T. North tr. Plutarch Liues 170 His eloquent tongue, and ready vtterance,..in those he was Pisistratus vp and downe.
a1627 T. Middleton Chast Mayd in Cheape-side (1630) iii. 32 It has the Mothers Mouth. 2 Goss. The Mothers Mouth vp and downe.
1649 J. Milton Εικονοκλαστης xi. 113 This is the Pharisee up and down, ‘I am not as other men are’.
1832 J. Barrington Personal Sketches Own Times III. 224 God bless him, up and down, wherever he goes, here or hereafter!
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > the whole or all > that is all or the whole [phrase] > in all or altogether
by numbera1375
in numbera1375
in allc1380
first and lastc1390
all wholea1393
in companya1393
in sum1399
full and whole1402
in great1421
whole and somec1425
in (the) whole1432
one with another1436
in (the) hale1437
all in great1533
up and down1562
one and other1569
in (the) aggregate1644
all told1814
1562 J. Heywood Sixt Hundred Epigrammes xciv, in Wks. sig. Ddiv What comth our meate to? foure shyllyngs vp and downe.
7. U.S. colloquial. In a straightforward or blunt manner; acting in this way. (Cf. C. 2b).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > unaffectedness or naturalness > without affectation [phrase] > in a straightforward or frank manner
with (an) open facea1425
up and down1854
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > sincerity, freedom from deceit > [adverb]
utterly?c1225
entirelya1340
faithlyc1350
without (but) feigningc1380
clearly1389
whollyc1390
unfeigninglyc1400
entirec1430
unfeigneda1469
without coloura1513
honestly1526
singly1526
unfeignedly1526
uncolourably1541
bona fide1542
frankly?1553
sincerely1560
squarely1564
uprightly1565
square1577
single-mindedly1579
undissemblinglyc1585
above board1599
fair and square1604
downright1607
downrightly1632
really1641
uncasuistly1649
honest1654
up tro1654
plain-heartedly1675
unaffectedly1677
straightforwardly1839
wholeheartedly1845
unfallaciously1852
up and down1854
single-heartedly1857
unflatteringly1874
uncynically1895
square on1963
1854 ‘O. Optic’ In Doors & Out 29 I told her, up and down, that she was not what she used to be when she lived with you.
1869 H. B. Stowe Oldtown Folks xx Talk about coddling! it's little we get o' that, the way the Lord fixes things in this world... He's pretty up and down with us, by all they tell us.
1891 Cent. Dict. at Up To handle a matter up and down; to talk up and down.
B. prep.
1.
a. Backward and forward in; to and fro along or upon.
ΚΠ
1412–20 J. Lydgate tr. Hist. Troy i. 1575 Þe halle in soth sche walkyth vp and down.
1553 T. Wilson Arte of Rhetorique 31 You shall haue a pretie litle boye, runnyng vp and doune youre house.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 334 The Lordes counsayled the king..to rowe vp and downe the ryuer.
1645 E. Pagitt Heresiogr. 32 They wandred up and downe the Countreyes without staves.
?1676 Lady Chaworth in 12th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1890) App. v. 34 She..is pulled up and down the ponds in them [sc. sledges] every day.
1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 96. ⁋3 I was strolling up and down the Walks in the Temple.
1745 P. Thomas True Jrnl. Voy. South-Seas 230 Every Person of any Account goes up and down them [sc. streets] either on Horseback or in a Chair.
1820 R. Southey Life Wesley I. 405 Under such feelings he wandered up and down the fields.
1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. III. xiii. 269 Accompanying James in his last walk, up and down the Mall.
1896 Law Times Rep. 73 615/1 A red light was automatically shown up and down the line.
b. Here and there in or upon; in several parts of or diverse places throughout.
ΚΠ
1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 ii. i. 107 She saies vp and downe the towne, that her eldest sonne is like you. View more context for this quotation
1640 H. Spelman in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eminent Literary Men (1843) (Camden) 164 They that to prevent my election, published up and downe some Colledges that..[I] had declined the choice.
1675 T. Brooks Paradice Opened 35 They have frequently acknowledged it to be an everlasting Covenant, as is evident up and down the Scripture.
1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 11. ⁋4 Sprinkled up and down the Writings of all Ages.
1834 T. Medwin Angler in Wales I. 33 The eyes..in some insects amount to six or seven thousand, and spread up and down the body as on the spider.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. 444 Early in August hints..were whispered up and down London.
1894 Times 4 June 6/2 To gather into one collected whole statements scattered at present all up and down your columns.
2. Alternately on or to a higher and lower plane in or upon.
ΚΠ
1665 R. Hooke Micrographia 202 A certaine white substance..may be observ'd to fly up and down the Air.
1726 G. Shelvocke Voy. round World vii. 250 The danger..of carrying a load up and down mountains.
1740 S. Richardson Pamela I. xxxi. 201 The Maid Nan..asked, If any thing was the matter, that I was so often up and down Stairs?
1855 J. R. Leifchild Cornwall: Mines & Miners 153 Along levels, and up and down winzes (ventilating openings), the air is coursing.
1859 F. E. Paget Curate of Cumberworth 62 The whole herd, tearing up and down the hill side.
C. adj. (Now usually hyphenated.)
1. in extended use.1808 C. Vancouver Gen. View Agric. Devon iv. 100 Farming tenantry..rent..from 200 to 300 acres of land, the greater part of which is subject to a system of up-and-down husbandry.
a. Directed, occurring, or taking place, alternately upward and downward.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > alternating or reciprocating motion > [adjective] > up-and-down
up and down1616
pump-handle1820
1616 G. Chapman tr. Musaeus Divine Poem D 6 b With vp and down-lookes, whetting his desire.
1795 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 85 587 The up-and-down motion in walking.
1839 A. Ure Dict. Arts 1110 These faller wires..are guided truly in their up-and-down motions..by a cleaner-plate.
1845 Encycl. Metrop. VIII. 748/2 The up-and-down action is communicated to this machine by chains.
1874 F. G. D. Bedford Sailor's Pocket Bk. v. 121 To insure getting an ‘up and down cast’ [of the lead].
1883 Black's Guide Devon. (ed. 11) 175 From here to Brendon Church..is 2½ miles of very up-and-down travelling.
b. Adapted or used for hauling up and down.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > equipment of vessel > tackle or purchase > [adjective] > specific type of tackle
up and down1794
1794 D. Steel Elements & Pract. Rigging & Seamanship II. 281 A chain, called an up-and-down span.
1860 G. S. Nares Naval Cadet's Guide 37 What tackles are used..? A luff and an up-and-down.
1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. 708 Up-and-down tackle.
c. Of persons: That hauls, goes, works, etc., up and down.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > worker > workers according to type of work > manual or industrial worker > worker in specific place > [adjective] > going or working up and down
up and down1861
1861 H. Mayhew London Labour (new ed.) III. 247/1 ‘Up-and-down men’, or coalwhippers, as they are usually called.
1897 Westm. Gaz. 10 Apr. 2/1 A man, a cook-housemaid, an up-and-down girl.
d. figurative. Alternately rising and falling; presenting variations comparable to movement up and down.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > change > alternation > [adjective] > alternating
interchangeable1561
interchanginga1586
vicissitudinary1624
alternanta1638
reciprocalc1645
alternating1653
up and down1812
intercurrent1842
commutative1844
1812 Ld. Byron Waltz Ep. A d—d see-saw up-and-down sort of tune.
1819 Metropolis (ed. 2) I. 104 Uneven measures, sportiveness and fancy must lead them [sc. poets]..an up and down dance.
1889 Spectator 14 Dec. 839 Even the free-living artist Fra Lippo Lippi talks in Browning's sudden, impatient, up-and-down style.
2.
a. Perpendicular; straight up, erect; very steep.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > vertical position > [adjective]
plumb rightc1445
perpendiculara1450
plumba1500
downright1530
straight-upc1590
vertic1607
up and downc1710
vertical1725
c1710 C. Fiennes Diary (1888) 232 Its such an Enclosed Country, and such up and down steep hills.
1817 H. T. Colebrooke tr. Bhāskara Āchārya in Algebra 15 Repeat the operation till the up and down line contain but two quantities.
1894 C. N. Robinson Brit. Fleet 278 The Warrior and Defence classes had plain up and down cutwaters.
1897 Daily News 21 Sept. 3/2 With clothes hanging in folds upon her up-and-down figure.
b. U.S. Direct, straightforward, downright.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > sincerity, freedom from deceit > [adjective]
aefauldOE
trueOE
true as steela1300
throlya1375
entirec1380
faithfula1382
entirelyc1400
single1519
sincere1533
sincere1539
simple-minded1556
Dunstable?1565
truthful?1567
single-hearted1574
single-minded1577
sound1580
downright1584
unaffected1592
real1597
plain-hearted1601
unartificial1603
free1619
honest1634
fair and square1636
round-dealing1642
wholehearted1657
down flata1663
well-designing1670
heart-whole1684
single-eyed1705
unsanctimoniousa1797
natural1825
bona fide1827
unfallacious1827
jannock1828
forthcoming1835
up and down1836
bonified1840
forthgoing1851
unhypocritical1854
forthright1855
upstanding1863
on the level1872
genuine1890
for real1954
upfront1967
1836 T. C. Haliburton Clockmaker 1st Ser. xxxvi No strong-minded, straight-a-head, right up and down man does that.
1869 H. B. Stowe Oldtown Folks xxiv. 291 A well-preserved, up-and-down, positive, cheery, sprightly maiden lady.
1896 Peterson Mag. Jan. 94/2 The two women folks..finally had an up-and-down row.
3.
a. Having an uneven or irregular surface; consisting of ups and downs.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > shape > unevenness > [adjective] > undulating
waved1577
redundant1667
rippling1670
wavya1701
undular1738
undulating1738
up and down1775
waving1810
undulous1862
1775 S. J. Pratt Liberal Opinions (1783) IV. cxxiii. 133 Very few gentlemen..come to such a d—m—d up-and-down place as this.
1830 G. Colman Random Rec. I. vi. 202 Durham..a strange up-and-down Episcopal City.
1853 C. Dickens Bleak House vi. 46 [My room] was of this kind, with an up-and-down roof.
1898 A. Austin Lamia's Winter-quarters 49 He lived in an up-and-down hamlet among the hills.
b. figurative. Marked by alternations of success, etc.; changeful, variable. Also, of a person: subject to alternating or changing moods.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > change > changeableness > [adjective]
slidinga900
wankleeOE
windyc1000
unsteadfastc1200
fleeting?c1225
loose?c1225
brotelc1315
unstablec1340
varyingc1340
variantc1374
motleyc1380
ungroundedc1380
muablea1393
passiblea1393
remuablea1393
changeablea1398
movablea1398
variablec1397
slidderya1400
ticklec1400
variantc1412
flitting1413
mutable?a1425
movingc1425
flaskisable1430
flickering1430
transmutablec1430
vertible1447
brittlea1450
ficklea1450
permutablec1450
unfirmc1450
uncertain1477
turnable1483
unsteadfast1483
vagrantc1522
inconstant1526
alterable?1531
stirringc1540
slippery1548
various1552
slid?1553
mutala1561
rolling1561
weathery1563
unconstant1568
interchangeable1574
fluctuant1575
stayless1575
transitive1575
voluble1575
changeling1577
queasy1579
desultory1581
huff-puff1582
unstaid1586
vagrant1586
changeful1590
floating1594
Protean1594
unstayed1594
swimming1596
anchorless1597
mobilec1600
ticklish1601
catching1603
labile1603
unrooted1604
quicksilvered1605
versatile1605
insubstantial1607
uncertain1609
brandling1611
rootless1611
squeasy1611
wind-changinga1616
insolid1618
ambulatory1625
versatilous1629
plastic1633
desultorious1637
unbottomed1641
fluid1642
fluent1648
yea-and-nay1648
versipellous1650
flexile1651
uncentred1652
variating1653
chequered1656
slideable1662
transchangeative1662
weathercock-like1663
flicketing1674
fluxa1677
lapsable1678
wanton1681
veering1684
upon the weathercock1702
contingent1703
unsettled?1726
fermentable1731
afloat1757
brickle1768
wavy1795
vagarious1798
unsettled1803
fitful1810
metamorphosical1811
undulating1815
tittupya1817
titubant1817
mutative1818
papier mâché1818
teetotum1819
vacillating1822
capricious1823
sensitive1828
quicksilvery1829
unengrafted1829
fluxionala1834
proteiform1833
liquid1835
tottlish1835
kaleidoscopic1846
versative1846
kaleidoscopical1858
tottery1861
choppy1865
variative1874
variational1879
wimbly-wambly1881
fluctuable1882
shifty1882
giveable1884
shifty1884
tippy1886
mutatory1890
upsettable1890
rocky1897
undulatory1897
streaky1898
tottly1905
tipply1906
up and down1907
inertialess1927
sometimey1946
rise-and-fall1950
switchable1961
the mind > emotion > pleasure > cheerfulness > [adjective] > alternately cheerful and depressed
uphill and downhill1681
up and down1960
the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > inconstancy > [adjective] > capricious or whimsical
startfulmood?a1300
wildc1350
volage?a1366
gerfulc1374
geryc1386
wild-headeda1400
skittishc1412
gerish1430
shittle1440
shittle-witted1448
runningc1449
volageous1487
glaikit1488
fantasious1490
giggish1523
tickle or light of the sear?1530
fantastical1531
wayward1531
wantona1538
peevish1539
light-headed1549
humoral1573
unstaid1579
shittle-headed1580
toy-headed1581
fangled1587
humorous1589
choiceful1591
toyish1598
tricksy1598
skip-brain1603
capricious1605
humoursome1607
planetary1607
vertiginous1609
whimsieda1625
ingiddied1628
whimsy1637
toysome1638
cocklec1640
mercurial1647
garish1650
maggoty1650
kicksey-winseya1652
freakish1653
humourish1653
planetic1653
whimsical1653
shittle-braineda1655
freaking1663
maggoty-headed1667
maggot-pated1681
hoity-toity1690
maggotish1693
maggot-headeda1695
whimsy-headed1699
fantasque1701
crotchetly1702
quixotic1718
volatile1719
holloweda1734
conundrumical1743
flighty1768
fly-away1775
dizzy1780
whimmy1785
shy1787
whimming1787
quirky1789
notional1791
tricksome1815
vagarish1819
freakful1820
faddy1824
moodish1827
mawky1837
erratic1841
rockety1843
quirkish1848
maggoty-pated1850
crotchetya1854
freaksome1854
faddish1855
vagrom1882
fantasied1883
vagarisome1883
on-and-offish1888
tricksical1889
freaky1891
hobby-horsical1893
quirksome1896
temperamental1907
up and down1960
untogether1969
fanciful-
fantastic-
1907 A. Ransome Bohemia in London 200 It is an up-and-down-life, my friends.
1960 I. Cross Backward Sex 125 She had always been an up-and-down sort of person, depressed one minute and elated the next.
4. Taking place to and fro or backward and forward; spent in moving about.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > aspects of travel > travel from place to place > [adjective] > relating to or characterized by
perambulatory1623
up and down1824
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > alternating or reciprocating motion > [adjective] > to-and-fro
to and fro1749
toing and froing1847
up and down1876
to-fro1879
twitchety1936
1824 M. R. Mitford Our Village I. 111 She has, in the course of an up-and-down life, met with a good many authors.
1876 W. H. Preece & J. Sivewright Telegraphy 292 What is called up and down working; that is,..each station sending alternately one or several messages.
1884 G. A. Sala Journey due South ii. i The perpetual up-and-down flowing of the crowd.
5. In collocations arising from an ellipse of the noun after up:
a. Pugilism. (See quots.)
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > dissent > fighting > [adjective] > types of fight
fisticuff1749
up and down1840
1840 D. P. Blaine Encycl. Rural Sports 1218 That species of contest, called up and down fighting, that is, when a man is got down he is kept down and punished till incapable of motion.
1863 C. Kingsley Water-babies iv. 133 They were fighting; savage, desperate, up-and-down fighting.
1867 T. Wright Some Habits Working Classes 124 Up-and-down fights, in which..the men fight both up and down.
b. Of or pertaining to ‘up’ and ‘down’ trains.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > rail travel > rolling stock > [adjective] > going in specific direction
down1797
up1841
downcoming1851
up and down1890
merry-go-round1963
1890 Daily News 16 Sept. 6/4 Two complete sets of up and down lines run out of that station.
1898 Engin. Mag. 16 73 Acting as through stations for the main up-and-down traffic.
c. Watchmaking. (See quot. 1884.)
ΚΠ
1884 F. J. Britten Watch & Clockmakers' Handbk. (new ed.) 276 Up and Down Indicator, mechanism for indicating when a watch or chronometer requires winding.
D. n.
I. Plural uses (occasionally hyphenated), ups and downs.
1.
a. Undulations or irregularities on the surface of ground, etc. Also in figurative context.
ΚΠ
1682 Earl of Anglesey in B. Whitelocke Memorials Eng. Affairs Publ. to Rdr. sig. A2v There are Flats..as well as Vps, and Downs, and Precipices.
1687 A. Lovell tr. J. de Thévenot Trav. into Levant i. 159 The Street being full of ups and downs, they make it..smooth from end to end.
1698 tr. F. Froger Relation Voy. Coasts Afr. 110 The town is nothing throughout but up's and downs and..consequently carriages are very impracticable there.
1717 G. Berkeley Jrnls. Trav. Italy 4 June in Wks. (1955) VII. 297 After our ascent thro a difficult path, many ups & downs stony narrow & uneasy among shrubby mountains &c on foot we arrived in the night.
1821 W. Cobbett Rural Rides in Cobbett's Weekly Polit. Reg. 17 Nov. 1190 The ups and downs of sea in a heavy swell.
1859 Ld. Tennyson Enid in Idylls of King 13 Geraint,..rode, By ups and downs, thro' many a grassy glade.
1879 A. J. C. Hare Jrnl. 20 Mar. in Story of my Life (1900) V. xx. 169 All the ups and downs of the ground.
b. Undulatory motions, tracings, etc. Also figurative.
ΚΠ
1860 W. H. Russell My Diary in India 1858–9 II. 227 I did not find it easy to sleep in the palkee, with its ups and downs.
1860–70 W. Stubbs Lect. European Hist. (1904) 8 Charles's wars with Francis are a regular seesaw. The Pope is generally the person who pulls the ups and downs.
1888 R. Abercromby Weather ii. 30 If we look at the barometer-trace.., the ‘ups’ and ‘downs’ suggest the analogy of waves.
2.
a. Vicissitudes, variations, or alternations in respect of fortune, success, etc. Also const. of (life, fortune, etc.).In frequent use from c1850.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > adversity > calamity or misfortune > [noun] > misfortune or ill-luck > instance of misfortune or ill-luck > vicissitude
reversea1529
vicissitude1631
up and down1659
chequered career1869
splendours and miseries1943
splendeurs et misères1952
1659 J. Bunyan Doctr. Law & Grace Unfolded in Wks. (1855) I. 553 The very saints of God have..many ups and downs in this their travel towards heaven.
1680 C. Ness Compl. Church-hist. xii. 99 The Church..continued 450 Y.[ears] in its Vps and Downs.
1727 P. Walker Remarkable Passages (1827) I. 293 He..had many Ups and Downs in his Case, warm Blinks and Clouds.
1793–4 J. Aikin & A. L. Barbauld Evenings at Home (1805) IV. 5 I have had my ups and downs in the world.
1807 R. Southey Lett. from Eng. II. 178 The ups and downs of commercial Speculation.
1809 B. H. Malkin tr. A. R. Le Sage Adventures Gil Blas IV. x. ii. 29 The ups and downs in the lottery of my own life.
1859 W. M. Thackeray Virginians lxxxi They had their ups and downs of fortune.
1875 A. Helps Social Pressure xx. 297 His life is a life of ups and downs, the ups and downs not being of exceeding magnitude.
b. Alternations in respect of condition, quality, etc.; vagaries, variations.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > change > alternation > [noun]
interchangingc1374
alternationc1443
alternement1483
interchange1559
intercourse1571
reciprocation1586
circulation1597
counterchange1602
interchangeableness1606
subalternation1616
vicissitude1624
alternity1646
alternacy1650
alternative1732
variegation1781
fluctuation1802
alternance1826
up and down1855
intermittence1860
1855 G. Brimley Ess. (1858) ix. 309 The ups and downs, the fortunes and emotions, of a passion.
1882 M. Oliphant Lit. Hist. Eng. I. 368 The ups and downs of a mind so precariously balanced.
1899 T. C. Allbutt et al. Syst. Med. VI. 897 The ups and downs met with in the course of the disease.
II. Singular uses (usually hyphenated).† 3. A swing-boat. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > place of amusement or entertainment > fairground or amusement park > [noun] > fairground ride > swing-boat
up and down1813
swing-boat1861
1813 Sporting Mag. 42 20 There were the usual swings, ups-and-downs, and roundabouts.
1816 in W. Hone Every-day Bk. (1826) I. 572 Up-and-downs, merry-go-rounds [at fairs].
1825 W. Hone Every-day Bk. (1826) I. 1228 There is an ‘up and down’, or swing, of..woodwork.
4.
a. Alternate rise and fall, esp. figurative in respect of position, fortune, etc.; variation of condition, lot, or circumstances.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > occurrence > [noun] > vicissitude > vicissitudes
light and shade1733
up and down1775
twists and turns1853
Snakes and Ladders1930
1775 S. J. Pratt Liberal Opinions (1783) IV. cviii. 29 [The present world] is in itself one general up-and-down: the human soul abhors sameness.
a1838 C. Morris Lyra Urban. (1840) II. 338 What an up-and-down is this? A shift from palace to cot.
1867 J. R. Lowell Biglow Papers 2nd Ser. Introd., in Poems (1912) 287/2 The regular up and down of the pentameter churn.
1876 S. Lanier Clover 71 Th' incalculable Up-and-Down of Time Made plain before my eyes.
b. Fluctuation or vacillation of passion, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > change > [noun] > repeated change or fluctuation
fluxion1555
fluctuation1610
flux1625
up and down1905
1905 S. A. Brooke Ten Plays Shakespeare 88 The up-and-down of his bewildered passion has passed away.
5. An irregularly undulating surface, lineation, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > shape > unevenness > [noun] > undulating form > instance of
undulation1823
up and down1856
society > leisure > the arts > music > musical sound > pitch > [noun] > wavering pitch
up and down1888
1856 E. B. Browning Aurora Leigh i. 39 Such an up and down Of verdure,—nothing too much up or down, A ripple of land.
1888 Cassell's Encycl. Dict. VII. at Tonic The ‘up and down’ of pitch is not represented to the eye as on the staff.
6. A rapid or cursory survey or perusal; the ‘once-over’. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > a look or glance > [noun] > hasty
glance1591
look-in1653
squint1673
gliska1713
run-over1814
once-over1913
up and down1923
1923 P. G. Wodehouse Inimitable Jeeves x. 102 ‘Read this letter.’ He gave it the up-and-down.
Derivatives
up-and-ˈdownishness n.
ΚΠ
1873 A. J. Ellis in Trans. Philol. Soc. 130 Such wonderful up-and-downishness does not shew much declamatory taste.
up-and-ˈdowny adj. nonce-words
ΚΠ
1850 R. S. Surtees Soapey Sponge's Sporting Tour xlviii, in New Monthly Mag. July 363 The up-and-downy, wavy piece of road.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1926; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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adv.prep.adj.n.a1200