Back and forth (also "wearing a hole in the carpet", and "around and around")

I keep going back and forth. She's going back and forth. He will be running back and forth.

As used here, back means backward and forth means foreward.

This phrase can have a few meanings. In the sentences above, it refers to going from one place to another and then returning, usually repeating the process a time or two, or maybe many more. By adding "keep" (or, in some sentences, the word, "keeps"), we have a sentence that conveys a feeling that it is continuous, or that it may be annoying, frustrating, or a little too much. Maybe it is becoming tedious.

Some people also walk back and forth when they are thinking. This is sometimes refered to as pacing, but pacing has other meanings, too. People also pace when worried or waiting for something. No matter what the reason is, if a person is pacing a lot, or very quickly, someone may say, "You are wearing a hole in the carpet." Wear, as used in this sentence, means to erode or cause deterioration.

Our phrase can also be used metaphorically.

I need him to make a decision, but he keeps going back and forth.

He is not moving from one place to another, but from one idea to another.

It can also be used to refer to an argument or disagreement.

They keep going back and forth. They keep going back and forth about it.

One person supports one idea and the other person supports the other, so they are pushing in opposite directions: back, and forth. This can also be refered to as going around and around. This refers to a prolonged discussion that is some kind of argument or disagreement. It is like walking in circles. Sometimes you walk and walk but never really get anywhere. Refering to an argument this way may make people think that you are impatient, so use it carefully. Both "back and forth" and "around and around" are often, but not always, used when people are frustrated.