ALL meanings of back and forth
back and forth
B b - phrase back and forth If someone moves back and forth, they repeatedly move in one direction and then in the opposite direction. 3
- noun back and forth to and fro 3
- noun back and forth from side to side 3
- adjective back and forth moving forward and backward; to-and-fro 3
- adjective back and forth situated at or in the rear: at the back door; back fence. 1
- adjective back and forth far away or removed from the front or main area, position, or rank; remote: back settlements. 1
- adjective back and forth belonging to the past: back files; back issues. 1
- adjective back and forth in arrears; overdue: back pay. 1
- adjective back and forth coming or going back; moving backward: back current. 1
- adjective back and forth Navigation. reciprocal (def 7). 1
- adjective back and forth Phonetics. (of a speech sound) produced with the tongue articulating in the back part of the mouth, as in either of the sounds of go. 1
- noun back and forth the rear part of the human body, extending from the neck to the lower end of the spine. 1
- noun back and forth the part of the body of animals corresponding to the human back. 1
- noun back and forth the rear portion of any part of the body: the back of the head. 1
- noun back and forth the whole body, with reference to clothing: the clothes on his back. 1
- noun back and forth ability for labor; effort; endurance: He put his back into the task. 1
- noun back and forth the part opposite to or farthest from the front; the rear part: the back of a hall. 1
- noun back and forth the part that forms the rear of any object or structure: the back of a chair. 1
- noun back and forth the part that covers the back: the back of a jacket. 1
- noun back and forth the spine or backbone: The fall broke his back. 1
- noun back and forth any rear part of an object serving to support, protect, etc.: the back of a binder. 1
- noun back and forth Nautical, Aeronautics. the forward side of a propeller blade (opposed to face (def 20.)). 1
- noun back and forth Aeronautics. the top part or upper surface of an aircraft, especially of its fuselage. 1
- noun back and forth Bookbinding. the edge of a book formed where its sections are bound together. 1
- noun back and forth the backs, grounds along the River Cam in back of certain colleges at Cambridge University in England: noted for their great beauty. 1
- noun back and forth Architecture. extrados. 1
- noun back and forth Carpentry. the upper side of a joist, rafter, handrail, etc. the area of interior wall between a window stool and the floor. 1
- noun back and forth Mining. the roof of a stope or drift. 1
- noun back and forth Sports. a player whose regular position is behind that of players who make initial contact with the opposing team, as behind the forward line in football or nearest the player's own goal in polo. the position occupied by this player. 1
- verb with object back and forth to support, as with authority, influence, help, or money (often followed by up): to back a candidate; to back up a theory with facts. 1
- verb with object back and forth to bet on: to back a horse in the race. 1
- verb with object back and forth to cause to move backward (often followed by up): to back a car. 1
- verb with object back and forth to furnish with a back: to back a book. 1
- verb with object back and forth to lie at the back of; form a back or background for: a beach backed by hills. 1
- verb with object back and forth to provide with an accompaniment: a singer backed by piano and bass. 1
- verb with object back and forth to get upon the back of; mount. 1
- verb with object back and forth to write or print on the back of; endorse; countersign. 1
- verb with object back and forth Carpentry. to attach strips of wood to the upper edge of (a joist or rafter) to bring it to a desired level. 1
- verb with object back and forth Nautical. to alter the position of (a sail) so that the wind will strike the forward face. to brace (yards) in backing a sail. to reinforce the hold of (an anchor) by means of a smaller one attached to it and dropped farther away. 1
- verb without object back and forth to go or move backward (often followed by up). 1
- verb without object back and forth Nautical. (of wind) to change direction counterclockwise (opposed to veer). 1
- idioms back and forth back and forth, from side to side; to and fro; from one to the other: The pendulum of the grandfather clock swung back and forth. 1
- noun back and forth Although some object to their use, the phrases in back of and the shorter—and much older—back of with the meaning “behind” are fully established as standard in American English: The car was parked (in) back of the house. Both phrases occur in all types of speech and writing. 1
- idioms back and forth back yonder, Chiefly South Midland U.S. formerly; many years ago: Back yonder, when I was a boy, things were different. 1
- adverb back and forth at, to, or toward the rear; backward: to step back. 1
- adverb back and forth in or toward the past: to look back on one's youth; They met in Chicago back in 1976. 1
- adverb back and forth at or toward the original starting point, place, or condition: to go back to the old neighborhood. 1
- adverb back and forth in direct payment or return: to pay back a loan; to answer back. 1
- adverb back and forth in a state of restraint or retention: to hold back the tears; to hold back salary. 1
- adverb back and forth in a reclining position: to lean back; to lie back. 1