On and off Meaning in English
expression
ˈɑn/, /ˈɔn/ /ˈænd/, /ənd/ /ˈɔf
AWN and AWF
ˈɒn/ /ˈænd/ /ˈɒf
ON and OF
Definition
Used to describe something that happens sometimes, but not all the time; it starts and stops repeatedly.
Usage & Nuances
Informal and very common in speech. Often used with actions or conditions that repeatedly start and stop ('rain on and off', 'relationship was on and off'). Can also modify length of time ('for years, on and off'). Not the same as 'off and on', though both are understood.
Spanish: de vez en cuando - intermitentePortuguese (BR): de vez em quando - intermitentePortuguese (PT): de vez em quando - intermitenteChinese (Simplified): 断断续续地 - 间歇地Chinese (Traditional): 斷斷續續地 - 間歇地Hindi: अक्सर रुक-रुक कर - कभी-कभीArabic: من حين لآخر - بشكل متقطعBengali: থেমে থেমে - কখনো কখনোRussian: время от времени - периодическиJapanese: 断続的に - 時々Vietnamese: thi thoảng - ngắt quãngKorean: 간헐적으로 - 가끔씩Turkish: aralıklı olarak - zaman zamanUrdu: کبھی کبھار - رکے رکےIndonesian: kadang-kadang - putus-putus
Example Sentences
It rained on and off all day.
basic
He worked on and off for two years.
basic
My headache comes on and off.
basic
They’ve been dating on and off for years.
natural
The internet connection is only working on and off today.
natural
I've been exercising on and off, but I really want to get back to a routine.
natural