to and fro

• Locution adverbiale indiquant un mouvement répété dans une direction puis dans la direction opposée, ou d'un endroit à un autre de manière alternative.

An adverbial phrase meaning moving backwards and forwards, or from one place to another repeatedly.

1. Back and forth movementB1formal

   Moving repeatedly in one direction and then the opposite direction.

   allées et venues

   • The pendulum swung to and fro.
   • He paced to and fro in the waiting room.
   • The boat rocked to and fro on the waves.

2. Alternating actions or ideasB2formal

   Used to describe a situation where people or things move or change between two states or positions.

   va-et-vient

   • The debate went to and fro without a clear winner.
   • They exchanged emails to and fro for weeks.
   • The negotiations moved to and fro before reaching an agreement.