backward and forward

backward(s) and forward(s)

Back and forth; moving in one direction and then the opposite. Can be used literally to refer to something or someone moving in such a way, or figuratively to refer to a situation in which no progress is made (e.g., an argument). I was pacing backwards and forwards in my room last night, worrying about this morning's exam. The two candidates debated the gun laws backward and forward, but neither could offer a productive solution in the end.
See also: and
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

backward and forward

Also, backwards and forwards.
1. Same as back and forth.
2. Thoroughly, completely, as in He read the speech over and over, until he knew it backwards and forwards. [Late 1500s]
See also: and, backward, forward
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
See also:
  • backward(s) and forward(s)
  • forwards
  • got to get moving
  • gotta
  • (I've) got to get moving
  • moving
  • up to speed
  • move about
  • have to be moving along
  • I have to be moving along
References in periodicals archive
Swing the club the same distance backward and forward. Imagine yourself standing with your back next to a giant clock face.
Swing the club the same speed backward and forward.
Divot's golfing tips
For birds in the inconsistent group the relation between backward and forward training was reversed: The previous positive backward cue was converted to a negative forward cue, and the backward negative cue was converted to a positive forward cue.
It is possible that backward and forward conditioning effects coexist in a single procedure, and that effects of these procedures summate.
Appetitive backward conditioning in pigeons