See Also:

see-saw(1) (iou)



see-saw interjection, noun, adjective, & adverb. Also seesaw, (as interjection) see saw. M17.
[Redupl. of SAW verb1, symbolizing alternating movement.]
A. interjection. Used as part of a rhythmical refrain, app. orig. by sawyers but now usu. by children, esp. to accompany alternating movements in games. M17.
Nursery rhyme: See saw, Margery Daw.
b. noun.
An up-and-down or to-and-fro motion. E18.
K. White The delicious see-saw of a post-chaise.
fig. A situation changing rapidly and repeatedly; a contest in which the advantage repeatedly changes from one side to the other. E18.
A. F. Douglas-Home There were..two alternatives.., and there was the usual see-saw of argument.
b. Whist. = cross-ruff (a) s.v. CROSS-. M18.
A plank balanced on a central support, on each end of which people (usu. children) sit and swing up and down by pushing the ground alternately with their feet. E19.
R. Dahl The swings and the see-saws and the high slide.
C. adjective & adverb. Moving or progressing up and down or backwards and forwards like a see-saw (lit. & fig.). M18.
Speedway Star The see-saw match eventually turned in their favour.
Phrases: go see-saw move with a see-saw motion, vacillate, alternate. play at see-saw, play see-saw engage in the game or amusement of sitting on a see-saw and swinging up and down.