Phrase guide

swings and roundabouts

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

Gains and losses that offset each other.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: Australia, Ireland, UK, plural, plural-only

Examples

  • If, in order to save money, you never buy a parking ticket, you are more likely to get fined, so it's all swings and roundabouts really.
  • Whether we pick up Mary first and then John or John first and then Mary is a matter of swings and roundabouts.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.