on again off again
Flickering like electricity
On again off again describes something that repeatedly starts and stops, or a relationship that cycles between active and inactive states.
Typically hyphenated when used as an adjective before a noun: their on-again-off-again romance, the on-again-off-again negotiations.
The pattern suggests instability or indecision rather than a clean break.
- sporadicOccurring irregularly, infrequently
- now and thenAt infrequent intervals
- intermittentOccurring at irregular intervals
- stop and goIntermittent motion pattern
- discontinuousHaving breaks or gaps
fits and starts · on-off switch · erratic · fluctuating · back and forth · flip-flop · blowing hot and cold · ambivalence · wavering · unpredictability · inconsistent · oscillation · come and go · estrangement · mood swings · interrupted · reconciliation · hot and cold
- relationship problemsaffair, disloyalty, adultery, unfaithfulness, cheating
- romancelove story, amor, love, boyfriend, courting
consistency/stability
on again off againsteady
Fixed, not fluctuating
constant · consistent · stable · continuous · uninterrupted