How do you use "On-again off-again" in a sentence?

They've been on-again off-again for years. It's one of those on-again off-again things. Are they on or off at the moment?

On-again off-again

Q: What does "On-again off-again" mean?

Relationship that repeatedly breaks up and reconciles. An 'on-again off-again' relationship cycles between being together and broken up. 'They're on-again off-again' suggests an unstable but persistent connection. Often implies drama.

Slang Term BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★☆ Common Casual

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Meaning: Relationship that repeatedly breaks up and reconciles.

反复分合的关系。

Relación que se rompe y se reconcilia repetidamente.

別れては寄りを戻す関係。

사귀다 헤어지다를 반복하는 관계.

An 'on-again off-again' relationship cycles between being together and broken up. 'They're on-again off-again' suggests an unstable but persistent connection. Often implies drama.

'On-again off-again'的关系是在一起和分手之间反复循环。'They're on-again off-again'暗示一种不稳定但持续存在的关系。通常意味着有很多戏剧性。

Una relación 'on-again off-again' alterna entre estar juntos y haber roto. 'They're on-again off-again' sugiere una conexión inestable pero persistente. A menudo implica mucho drama.

「On-again off-again」の関係は、付き合ったり別れたりを繰り返す。「They're on-again off-again」は不安定だが続いているつながりを示す。ドラマチックな関係を暗示することが多い。

'On-again off-again' 관계는 사귀었다 헤어졌다를 반복하는 관계이다. 불안정하지만 끊이지 않는 관계를 의미하며, 대개 복잡한 감정이 수반된다.

Examples

They've been on-again off-again for years.
他们分分合合好多年了
Llevan años dejándolo y volviendo
あの二人は何年も付き合ったり別れたりを繰り返している
그 둘은 몇 년째 사귀다 헤어지다를 반복하고 있어.
It's one of those on-again off-again things.
就是那种分分合合的关系
Es una de esas relaciones de idas y venidas
あれはよくあるくっついたり離れたりする関係だ
그건 전형적인 만남과 이별을 반복하는 관계야.
Are they on or off at the moment?
他们现在是在一起还是分开了？
¿Ahora están juntos o han roto?
今は付き合ってるの、別れてるの？
지금은 사귀는 거야, 헤어진 거야?

Pronunciation

/ɒn əˈgɛn ɒf əˈgɛn/

Usage Guide

Context: relationships, drama, instability

Tone: observational, often exasperated

✓ Do Say

On-again off-again
分分合合
idas y venidas
くっついたり離れたり
만났다 헤어졌다
On and off
时好时坏
intermitente
付いたり離れたり
왔다 갔다

✗ Don't Say

Usually implies frustration with the pattern
通常暗示对这种模式的厌烦
Suele implicar frustración con el patrón
通常このパターンへのフラストレーションを暗示する
보통 이런 패턴에 대한 답답함을 내포함

Common Mistakes

Describes pattern, not current status

Origin & History

Description of relationship pattern that cycles. The phrase captures the exhausting nature of relationships that can't decide whether to commit or end.

Etymology: Descriptive of relationship cycling

First recorded: 20th century

Cultural Context

Era: 20th century onwards

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Celebrity relationship coverage

Regional notes: Universal English.

Variations

On-again off-againOn and off