in-and-out

[ in-uhnd-out, -uhn- ]

adjective

1. in or participating in a particular job, investment, etc., for a short time and then out, especially after realizing a quick profit.

noun

1. Manège. an obstacle consisting of two fences placed too far apart to be cleared in one jump and too close together to allow more than one or two strides between.

Word History and Origins

Origin of in-and-out¹

First recorded in 1640–50, for an earlier sense

Example Sentences

Do we really need to have people flying in-and-out of Liberia to take care of the crisis, specifically?

From The Daily Beast

The procedure was remarkably speedy—patients were in-and-out of the exam room in minutes.

From The Daily Beast

Start by breathing normally, then begin rapid in-and-out breaths through your nose.

From The Daily Beast

For the next two years she was in-and-out of the hospital monthly for wheezing and shortness-of-breath—until I took over her care.

From The Daily Beast

They then attacked; we counter-attacked and there was some confused in-and-out Infantry fighting.

From Project Gutenberg

You might make a position for us both by some such alliance; for, to tell the truth, I have had but in-and-out luck so far.

From Project Gutenberg

Now, they're going to make 'em do some in-and-out jumping, see?

From Project Gutenberg

They had passed the Brooklyns, who had let down a good deal and were now playing in-and-out ball.

From Project Gutenberg

I painted in-and out-of-doors continuously all the day except when Rockwell and I plied the saw.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• assiduously
• carefully
• completely
• comprehensively
• conscientiously
• earnestly
• efficiently
• extremely
• fully
• highly
• intensely
• intensively
• meticulously
• painstakingly
• scrupulously
• very
• wholly