run hot and cold en · VERB
Pronunciation
- (Australia) audio
Meanings
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(idiomatic) To alternate between two opposite extremes, such as enthusiasm and disinterest or success and failure.
London’s right-leaning newspapers, which tend to run hot and cold on the prime minister, are veering toward Arctic right now.
2013 May 23, Sarah Lyall, “British Leader’s Liberal Turn Sets Off a Rebellion in His Party”, in New York Times, retrieved 29 May 2013:Henrietta's feelings for Delbert run hot and cold—one minute she's hopelessly in love with him, and the next she can't stand the sight of him.
The business runs hot and cold; some months our firm doesn't earn enough to cover expenses and other months, we net 400% profits.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| run hot and cold | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| running hot and cold | Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| runs hot and cold | Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres | lexicographic | |
| ran hot and cold | Tense=Past | lexicographic |
Synonyms
blow hot and cold · hold with the hare and run with the hounds