on/off
Toggle switch positions
On/off describes something that alternates between two states—active and inactive, present and absent.
An on/off switch controls power.
An on/off relationship cycles between together and apart.
The phrase captures binary alternation: Their friendship has been on/off for years.
Two-position switch
- switchCircuit-breaking toggle device
- buttonDisc through a hole
- flipQuick turning motion
- powerEnergy transfer rate
control · activate · deactivate · press · click · lever · dial · knob
Mutually exclusive choice
- all-or-nothingWithout partial outcomes
- binaryConsisting of two parts
- digitalOf discrete data
- booleanTrue-or-false valued
absolute · definite · clear-cut · decisive · unambiguous · categorical · two-state · discrete
Occurring irregularly, infrequently
- irregularDeviating from normal patterns
- inconsistentLacking steady uniformity
- erraticLacking regularity or consistency
- fluctuatingShifting irregularly over time
unpredictable · fitful · patchy · spasmodic · unreliable · variable · unsteady · choppy
Relaxed and informal
- uncommittedNot bound to anything
- ambiguousHaving multiple interpretations
- undefinedNot clearly delineated
- situationshipUndefined romantic involvement
complicated · fling · nonexclusive · intermittent · rekindled · breakup · reconciliation · back-and-forth
toggle
Two-position switch
power · control · activate · deactivate · press · click · lever · dial · knob · trigger
either/or
Mutually exclusive choice
- all-or-nothingWithout partial outcomes
- binaryConsisting of two parts
- digitalOf discrete data
boolean · absolute · definite · clear-cut · decisive · unambiguous · categorical · two-state · discrete · polar
sporadic
Occurring irregularly, infrequently
- irregularDeviating from normal patterns
- inconsistentLacking steady uniformity
- erraticLacking regularity or consistency
fluctuating · unpredictable · fitful · patchy · spasmodic · unreliable · variable · unsteady · choppy · discontinuous
casual
Relaxed and informal
- uncommittedNot bound to anything
- ambiguousHaving multiple interpretations
- undefinedNot clearly delineated
situationship · complicated · fling · nonexclusive · intermittent · rekindled · breakup · reconciliation · back-and-forth · unstable