Back And Forth

( moving in one direction then turning and moving in the opposite direction ... )

Back and forth describes the movement which goes in one direction, then turns and goes back in that direction from which it came. Example: "What fun could it be playing tennis? They just hit the ball back and forth all day."

Back and forth also describes a continual change in direction of some plan or action. Example: "Will you start college this fall?" Reply: "I don't know. I keep going back and forth on it."

Going back and forth on a decision means that you have not yet decided. Example: "Is Jane coming or not?" Reply: "We still don't know. She keeps going back and forth."