Vocabulary: Binominals (2)

D. Binominal: word combined
D1. There are cafes here and there. (scattered round)
D2. We’ve had meetings on and off. (occasionally)
D3. I’ve been running back and forth all day. (to and from somewhere)
D4. To and fro can be used just like back and forth.
D5. He is unemployed and down and out. (without a home or money)
D6. She’s better now, and out and about again. (going out)
D7. She ran up and down the street. (in both directions)

E. Binominal: linked by words other than and
E1. You’ve got your sweater on back to front. (the wrong way)
E2. He won’t help her; she’ll have to sink or swim. (survive or fail)
E3. Slowly but surely, I realized the boat was sinking. (gradually)
E4. Sooner or later, you’ll learn your lesson. (some time/ day)
E5. She didn’t want to be just friends; it had to be all or nothing.
E6. Well I’m sorry, that’s all I can offer you; take it or leave it.
E7. It’s about the same distance as from here to Dublin, give or take a few miles. (perhaps a mile or two more, or a mile or two less)

(Source: English Vocabulary in Use, Cambridge University Press)