ebb and flow

noun
UK: /ˌeb ənd ˈfləʊ/
US: /ˌeb ənd ˈfloʊ/

  1. A situation in which things change in a regular way, sometimes getting better and sometimes getting worse.

    1. The project experienced an ebb and flow of interest from the public.
    2. The company's fortunes have seen a constant ebb and flow over the past few years due to market volatility.

  2. The repeated movement of something such as the tide, coming in and going out.

    1. We watched the ebb and flow of the tide on the beach all afternoon.
    2. The fisherman understood the ebb and flow of the ocean and its impact on his catch.

Synonyms

fluctuation oscillation variation rise and fall
ebb and flow intransitive-verb

  1. To increase and decrease repeatedly in strength or level.

    1. My interest in the subject tends to ebb and flow with the seasons.
    2. The crowd's excitement would ebb and flow as the game progressed towards its climax.
ebb and flow idiom

  1. To move back and forth, like the tide.

    1. The conversation seemed to ebb and flow naturally between them.
    2. The debate would ebb and flow as each side presented compelling arguments and rebuttals.

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "ebb and flow" in English means: A situation in which things change in a regular way, sometimes getting better and sometimes getting worse., The repeated movement of something such as the tide, coming in and going out..

The phonetic transcription of "ebb and flow" is /ˌeb ənd ˈfləʊ/ in British English and /ˌeb ənd ˈfloʊ/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "ebb and flow": fluctuation, oscillation, variation, rise and fall.

Example usage of "ebb and flow": "The project experienced an ebb and flow of interest from the public.". More examples on the page.