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ups and downs

plural noun
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Definition of ups and downs

: alternating rise and fall especially in fortune

Examples of ups and downs in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Four decades in the oil business taught Bry Patton to deal with ups and downs of a volatile profession. — Chuck Carlton, Dallas News, "As the Cotton Bowl prepares to help a displaced Rose Bowl, chairman Bry Patton is most happy with charitable endeavors," 24 Dec. 2020 His brother has had some ups and downs in the past. — Amy Dickinson, oregonlive, "Ask Amy: Her boyfriend won’t pay up. Should she give up?," 14 Dec. 2020 His brother has had some ups and downs in the past. — Amy Dickinson, chicagotribune.com, "Ask Amy: Partner needs man-boy to grow up," 14 Dec. 2020 Everyone has dealt with the ups and downs of this thing. ... — Chris Dabe, NOLA.com, "St. Paul's-Jesuit playoff football game set for Sunday so Wolves can complete quarantine," 24 Nov. 2020 Across the Orlando Health hospitals, COVID-19 hospitalizations have held steady at about 80 and at AdventHealth hospitals in Central Florida, that number stands at 250, with daily ups and downs in the numbers. — Naseem S. Miller, orlandosentinel.com, "As Central Florida hospitalizations see uptick, officials urge caution," 28 Oct. 2020 More airlines adjust award prices with the ups and downs of cash prices. — Scott Mccartney, WSJ, "Airlines Pitch Frequent-Flier Mile Deals to Travelers Wary of Covid," 14 Oct. 2020 The 76-year-old former pitcher — whose baseball career and life has been marked with ups and downs — is expected to be on hand all four days of the sale. — Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, "Amid pandemic, ex-Detroit Tiger Denny McLain is selling off some of his sports collection," 30 Sep. 2020 The research also puts to rest the notion that Greenland’s recent deterioration might be part of a natural cycle, by showing just how fast the current meltdown is compared with the ups and downs of the geologic past. — Madeleine Stone, National Geographic, "Greenland could lose more ice this century than it has in 12,000 years," 30 Sep. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ups and downs.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of ups and downs

1659, in the meaning defined above

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The first known use of ups and downs was in 1659

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Statistics for ups and downs

Last Updated

9 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“Ups and downs.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ups%20and%20downs. Accessed 19 Jan. 2021.

More from Merriam-Webster on ups and downs

Nglish: Translation of ups and downs for Spanish Speakers

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