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.
He was pacing back and forth in the room.
In this play, the changing scenery is effective.
Stock prices continue to fluctuate.
Standard kanji spelling for this expression.
Alternate kanji spelling using 往; less common.
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.