ebb and flow

ebb and flow

1. verb To consistently increase and decrease.

I wouldn't worry too much about losing money this quarter because we'll earn it back later in the year. That's just how business ebbs and flows.

2. noun A period of consistent increase and decrease.

I wouldn't worry too much because we always lose money this quarter and then earn it back later in the year. It's just the natural ebb and flow of business.

ebb, flow

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Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

ebb and flow

to decrease and then increase, as with tides; a decrease followed by an increase, as with tides.

The fortunes of the major political parties tend to ebb and flow over time.

The ebb and flow of democracy through history is a fascinating subject.

ebb, flow

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

ebb and flow

A decline and increase, constant fluctuations. For example, He was fascinated by the ebb and flow of the Church's influence over the centuries. This expression alludes to the inward and outward movement of ocean tides. [Late 1500s]

ebb, flow

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

ebb and flow

COMMON

The ebb and flow of something is the way that it continuously changes, especially in its amount or level.

The advantage to the employer is flexibility to cope with the commercial ebb and flow.

The vineyards are tucked into small clearings formed by the natural ebb and flow of the hills and the trees.

Note: Ebb and flow is also used as a verb meaning to change continuously, especially in amount or level.

During those thirty years the fortunes of the British film industry ebbed and flowed.

Note: This expression comes from the idea of the tide ebbing and flowing (= going in and out).

ebb, flow

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Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

ebb and flow

a recurrent or rhythmical pattern of coming and going or decline and regrowth.

a recurrent or rhythmical pattern of coming and going or decline and regrowth.

This expression makes reference to the regular movement of the tides, where ebb means move away from the land and flow move back towards it.

ebb, flow

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Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

the ˌebb and ˈflow (of somebody/something)

the repeated, often regular, movement from one state to another; the repeated change in level, numbers or amount:

the repeated, often regular, movement from one state to another; the repeated change in level, numbers or amount:

the ebb and flow of money/seasons

♢

She sat quietly, enjoying the ebb and flow of conversation.

This expression refers to the movement of the sea away from and towards the land.

ebb, flow

See also: and

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017