yo-yo

yo-yo Definition

☆ yo·-yo (yō′yō′)

noun pl. yo′·-yos′

a spool-like toy attached to one end of a string upon which it may be made to spin up and down
Slang a person regarded as stupid, ineffectual, inept, eccentric, etc.

Etymology: < ?: the toy came to the U.S. from the Philippines

adjective

Informal up-and-down; fluctuating; variable

intransitive verb yo′·-yoed′, yo′·-yo′ing

Informal to move up and down; fluctuate; vary

yo-yo Usage Examples

Possessives

Adjective modifier

human: You will be a human yo-yo with the ground rushing up to meet you and falling away just as quickly!

Modifies a noun

dieter: Leila had been a yo-yo dieter for most of her adult life.
effect: It is our view that clients prefer steady rates year on year, not a yo-yo effect.
diet: Same as a yo-yo diet I'm afraid - the weight goes back on.
trick: Posted 31 May 1999 This is a nice book of basic yo-yo tricks.
existence: Newport have enjoyed a yo-yo existence in the top flight.
club: We would not want to be a yo-yo club.

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