touch-and-go

1 of 2

noun

ˌtəch-ən(d)-ˈgō How to pronounce touch-and-go (audio)
: an airplane landing followed immediately by application of power and a takeoff and usually executed as one of a series for practice at landings

touch and go

2 of 2

adjective

: unpredictable as to outcome : uncertain
it was touch and go there for a while

Examples of touch-and-go in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The path to approval of Moderna’s flu vaccine has been touch-and-go. — Berkeley Lovelace Jr, NBC news, 18 June 2026 Their special-teams play and general discipline are touch-and-go. — Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Spring in New England is often touch and go, and this one’s been particularly iffy. — Gretta Monahan, Boston Herald, 14 May 2026 Highlights include a chandelier in the main dining room, a large swimming pool, a private spa, a gym, and a touch and go helipad. — Bill Springer, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for touch-and-go

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1945, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1800, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of touch-and-go was in 1800

Rhymes for touch-and-go

See All Rhymes for touch-and-go

Browse Nearby Words

touch all the bases
touch-and-go
touch and go
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Cite this Entry

“Touch-and-go.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/touch-and-go. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

touch and go

adjective
: not certain of having a good result
it was touch and go there for a while
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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