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Meaning of run hot and cold | Babel Free

Verb CEFR C2

Definitions

To alternate between two opposite extremes, such as enthusiasm and disinterest or success and failure.

idiomatic

Examples

“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.”
“London’s right-leaning newspapers, which tend to run hot and cold on the prime minister, are veering toward Arctic right now.”

CEFR level

C2
Mastery
This word is part of the CEFR C2 vocabulary — mastery level.
See all C2 English words →

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