From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishebb and flowebb and flowCHANGE FROM ONE THING TO ANOTHERa situation or state in which something increases and decreases in a kind of pattern the ebb and flow of the conversation the ebb and flow of passengers in the station → ebb
Examples from the Corpus
ebb and flow• There is always an ebb and flow, an inner energy used to enhance mood and expression.• But he related well to me, although his engagement ebbed and flowed.• Inside the room I saw the pulsing ebb and flow of light that meant a fire.• In the harbour you got a secondary ebb and flow between the main tides.• A moaning north wind that ebbed and flowed like the sound of surf and ocean waves.• Manufacturers need to anticipate the ebb and flow of consumer demand.• Nixon always will remain a vivid figure for those of us who watched the ebb and flow of his remarkable career.• The ebb and flow of controversy in television news items did not produce corresponding trends in public interest and discussion.• It was ebb and flow, up and down, punch and counterpunch that didn't want to end. 