seesaw

views updated May 29 2018

see·saw / ˈsēˌsô/ (also see-saw) • n. a long plank balanced in the middle on a fixed support, on each end of which children sit and swing up and down by pushing the ground alternately with their feet. ∎ fig. a situation characterized by rapid, repeated changes from one state or condition to another: the emotional seesaw of a first love affair | [as adj.] seesaw interest rates. • v. [intr.] change rapidly and repeatedly from one position, situation, or condition to another and back again: the market seesawed as rumors spread of an imminent cabinet reshuffle. ∎  [tr.] cause (something) to move back and forth or up and down rapidly and repeatedly: Sybil seesawed the car back and forth.