sway back and forth

sway back and forth

1. Literally, to continue moving, swinging, bending, tilting, etc., slowly in one direction and then back in the opposite direction. The structure swayed back and forth, threatening to topple at any given minute. Everyone in the crowd was swaying back and forth in time with the song.
2. By extension, to oscillate between two opposing positions, decisions, inclinations, points of view, etc. Public opinion has swayed back and forth on this issue for decades. You can't keep swaying back and forth over this—you need to make a decision and commit to it!
See also: and, back, forth, sway
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

sway back and forth

to swing or bend from one direction to another. The pendulum swayed back and forth, counting off the seconds. Mary was swaying back and forth, keeping time to the music.
See also: and, back, forth, sway
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • sway to and fro
  • sway (from) side to side
  • sway from side to side
  • go in the right direction
  • backward and forward
  • backward(s) and forward(s)
  • 180
  • (one) zigged when (one) should have zagged
  • zagged
  • zigged when one should've zagged
References in periodicals archive
The team found that the most efficient way to cross from one tree to another is usually to sway back and forth on your tree until you can reach the next one.
Why Tarzan spent most of his life in trees
In the more Orthodox shuls they stand by themselves and sway back and forth. Someday, I'll do a sitcom, and all those characters will be of use to me.
The last Kaddish
But some RV-ers have found themselves more at sea than at home: Because of give in the trailer's suspension and jacks, the "fifth wheel" can sway back and forth or side to side as occupants move around.
The RV stops rocking
He said: "I saw the baby on the window sill and he seemed to sway back and forth for a second.
PLUNGE BABY IN BATTLE TO LIVE
Then, Breazeal begins to sway back and forth. Uh-oh.
It Smiles, it Frowns -- it's a Robot!
"Animals will pace, chew their bars, sway back and forth in place, even regurgitate and eat their vomit.
Gus the neurotic bear
Washington, January 6 (ANI): If reports are to be believed, then even the world's tallest building, that is, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, would sway back and forth about 5.5 feet, which suggests that tall buildings can sway much more than thought.
World's tallest building in Dubai sways back and forth about 5.5 feet