start and stop
Commence then cease
Start and stop describes motion or activity characterized by repeated interruptions—lurching forward, halting, resuming, halting again.
Traffic moves in a start-and-stop pattern during rush hour.
A start-and-stop conversation keeps getting interrupted.
The phrase captures frustrating lack of smooth continuity: Progress on the project has been start and stop all year.
- beginTo start something
- endFinal portion or cessation
- haltComplete sudden stop
- pauseTemporary cessation of activity
- commenceTo set underway
hit the brakes · cease · ignite · brake · launch · finish · finish line · go · on and off · quit · trigger · freeze · kickoff · get the ball rolling · standstill · resume · interrupt · initiate
start and stopcontinuous
Without pause or gap
uninterrupted · nonstop · steady · constant · perpetual
start and stopsteady
Fixed, not fluctuating
consistent · even · regular · uniform · stable
start and stopfree-flowing
Moving without restriction
unimpeded · unobstructed · clear sailing · cruising · gliding
start, stop, starts, stops, started, stopped, starting, stopping, starter