sway back and forth

sway back and forth

1. Literally, to continue moving, swinging, bending, tilting, etc., slowly in one direction and then back in the opposite direction. The structure swayed back and forth, threatening to topple at any given minute. Everyone in the crowd was swaying back and forth in time with the song.

2. By extension, to oscillate between two opposing positions, decisions, inclinations, points of view, etc. Public opinion has swayed back and forth on this issue for decades. You can't keep swaying back and forth over this—you need to make a decision and commit to it!

See also: and, back, forth, sway

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

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, forth, sway

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.