expression, noun
going back and forth; changing scenery (theatre); fluctuation (e.g. in a market)
Used for movement that goes and returns, or for alternating states. In theatre, refers to scenery changes. In economics, describes market fluctuation.
彼は部屋の中を行って来いしていた。
He was pacing back and forth in the room.
この芝居では行って来いの場面転換が効果的だ。
In this play, the changing scenery is effective.
株価の行って来いが続いている。
Stock prices continue to fluctuate.
More common for 'going back and forth' in everyday speech; 行って来い is often used in set phrases or specific contexts like theatre and economics.
From the imperative forms 行って (itte, 'go') + 来い (koi, 'come'), literally 'go and come back'. The meaning extended to alternating movement or fluctuation.