forth

and so forth and and so on

with additional related or similar things mentioned (but not specified). She told me everything about her kids and so forth. I heard about problems at work and so forth. He told me about all his health problems, including his arthritis and so on. I need some help getting ready for dinner, setting the table, and so on.

See also: and

back and forth

in one direction and then the other repeatedly; from one place to another repeatedly. We tossed the ball back and forth between us. The tiger paced back and forth in its cage.

See also: and, back

blossom forth 

1. Lit. [for a plant] to burst into flower. All the trees blossomed forth at the same time. Each spring my tulips blossom forth in all their glory.

2. Fig. [for someone or a concept] to develop or grow quickly. A wonderful idea blossomed forth and caught on quickly. That summer she suddenly blossomed forth into a young woman.

See also: blossom

bounce something back and forth 

1. Lit. to bat, toss, or throw something alternately between two people. (Usually a ball.) The two guys bounced the ball back and forth. John and Timmy bounced it back and forth.

2. Fig. to discuss an idea back and forth among a group of people. Let's bounce these ideas back and forth awhile and see what we come up with. The idea was bounced back and forth for about an hour.

See also: and, back, bounce

bring someone or something forth

to present or produce someone or something. Bring the roast turkey forth! Bring forth the roast turkey!

See also: bring

burst forth

to come forth explosively. The words burst forth and frightened everyone. The blossoms burst forth in the first warm days of the year.

See also: burst

call someone forth

to call to someone to come out or come forward. The principal called Wally forth. Please call forth Wally again.

See also: call

call something forth

[for an event] to draw a particular quality or induce a particular behavior. The battle called extraordinary courage forth from the soldiers. It called forth great courage.

See also: call

come forth

to come out; to move forward and appear. Please come forth and meet your cousins. All the stage crew came forth and received some applause.

See also: come

draw something forth

to pull something forward or where it can be seen. Carl drew a booklet forth and began to show it to the people sitting on either side of him. She drew forth her pocketknife and threatened the bandit.

See also: draw

give forth with something and give out with something

to say or shout something. The kids in the street gave forth with cries of excitement. Walter gave out with a loud whoop when he heard the good news.

See also: give

hold forth (on someone or something)

to speak at great length about someone or something. Sadie held forth on the virtues of home cooking. Sharon is holding forth, and everyone is paying close attention.

See also: hold

launch forth (upon something)

to set out on something; to begin on something, such as a journey or a long lecture or sermon. (Upon is formal and less commonly used than on.) We launched forth on our trip before dawn. What time shall we launch forth tomorrow morning?

See also: launch

lead someone or something forth

to bring or usher someone or something forward. The captain led the soldiers forth to the parade ground. They led forth the army into battle.

See also: lead

lead forth

[for someone] to go on ahead; to precede someone. You lead forth, and I will follow. Wallace led forth, but no one came after him.

See also: lead

pace back and forth and pace up and down

to walk over and over the same short route nervously or anxiously. The leopard paced back and forth in its cage. I paced up and down, worrying about a variety of things.

See also: and, back, pace

pour forth

to gush out; to gush forth. The milk gushed out of the hole in the container. A tremendous amount of water poured forth when the fire hydrant was knocked over.

See also: pour

put (something) forth

to exert effort. You are going to have to put more effort forth if you want to succeed. You need to put forth. You are not carrying your load.

See also: put

put (something) forth

to exert effort. You are going to have to put more effort forth if you want to succeed. You need to put forth. You are not carrying your load.

See also: put

sally forth

to go forth; to leave and go out. The soldiers sallied forth from behind the stone wall. Well, it's time to sally forth and drive to work.

set something forth

to explain something; to present some information. She set her ideas forth in an organized and interesting manner. Please set forth your thoughts quickly and concisely.

See also: set

set forth on something and launch forth on something 

1. Lit. to start out on something, such as a journey. We intend to set forth on our journey very early in the morning. What time will you launch forth on your trip?

2. Fig. to begin presenting a speech or an explanation. As soon as John set forth on his speech, three people walked out. Every time he launches forth on a presentation, it's a half hour before he shuts up.

See also: set

stretch forth (from something)

to extend out or forth from something. A path stretched forth from the cabin, leading deep into the woods. Outside the cabin door, a path stretched forth.

See also: stretch

sway back and forth

to swing or bend from one direction to another. The pendulum swayed back and forth, counting off the seconds. Mary was swaying back and forth, keeping time to the music.

See also: and, back, sway

toss something back and forth 

1. Lit. [for two or more people] to toss something to each other alternately. Carol and Kelly tossed the ball back and forth for a few minutes. We will toss the ball back and forth until we get tired.

2. Fig. to trade remarks, quips, insults, etc. They tossed insulting remarks back and forth. Walter and David spent the evening tossing quips back and forth.

See also: and, back, toss

venture forth 

1. Fig. to set out; to go forward; to go out cautiously. George ventured forth into the night. I think I will venture forth. It looks safe.

2. Fig. to go forth bravely. Let us venture forth and conquer the enemy. We will arm ourselves and venture forth against our foe.

See also: venture

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back and forth

if someone or something moves back and forth between two places, they move from one place to the other place again and again Nurses went back and forth among the wounded, bringing food and medicine.

See also: and, back

be like painting the Forth Bridge  (British)

if repairing or improving something is like painting the Forth Bridge, it takes such a long time that by the time you have finished doing it, you have to start again

Usage notes: The Forth Bridge is a very large bridge in Edinburgh.

Home improvements are a bit like painting the Forth Bridge. By the time you've finished the kitchen, the bathroom needs decorating and so it goes on.

See also: bridge, like, painting

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and so forth also and so on

and other similar things Obviously they're not doing a good job and so forth, but I don't really like having to fire anyone. Insurance is getting harder to obtain, and you may not qualify for benefits and so on.

Usage notes: also used in the forms and so on and so forth and and so on and so on: Economic growth makes us all richer, provides jobs, and so on and so forth. The “talking computer” is supposed to help you by saying “That's good” and “That's not right” and so on and so on.

See also: and

bring forth something also bring something forth

to make something available Maddie brought forth a new line of clothes.

See also: bring

hold forth

to talk for a long time on a subject She held forth for half an hour on the stupidity of TV reality shows.

See also: hold

put forth

to do what is necessary to achieve something The effort put forth by every employee of the town and every rescue worker was remarkable.

See also: put

put forth something also put something forth

to offer something for consideration We can put forth some guidelines for what you should write about in your essay. We tried to put something forth that's really sincere.

See also: put

set forth something (slightly formal)

to explain or state something officially Our views were set forth by our attorney in her March 13th letter. The board set forth the conditions for her release. Selina based her argument on the rights set forth in the First Amendment of the Constitution.

Usage notes: usually said about something stated in writing

See also: set