run hot and cold

English

Pronunciation

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Verb

run hot and cold

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

   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.

   • 2013 May 23, Sarah Lyall, "British Leader’s Liberal Turn Sets Off a Rebellion in His Party," New York Times (retrieved 29 May 2013):

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

Synonyms

• blow hot and cold
• hold with the hare and run with the hounds