on-again-off-again \ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷\adjective Etymology: from the phrase on again, off again : occurring suddenly and irregularly and vanishing quickly : becoming briefly existent and then disappearing in an intermittent unpredictable way : fitful, spasmodic < on-again-off-again fads > < troubled with on-again-off-again headaches > < months of on-again-off-again negotiations — Kennett Love >