Idioms

the ups and downs

This page is about the idiom the ups and downs

Meaning

If you talk about "the ups and downs" in someone's life, or during a period of time, you talk about both the good times and the bad times.

For example

  • She'll have to learn to cope with the ups and downs of life in the public eye, like other famous people do.

  • He's successful now, but he experienced many ups and downs early in his career.

Quick Quiz

In his book, Bill Clinton describes the ups and downs of life as U.S. President. We hear about

a. taking off and landing in Airforce One

b. the good and bad things he did

c. the good and bad experiences he had
a) taking off and landing in Airforce One b) the good and bad things he did c) the good and bad experiences he had

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Common English Idioms

Contributor: Matt Errey