run hot and cold verb1 •To alternate between two opposite extremes, such as enthusiasm and disinterest or success and failure.Henrietta's feelings for Delbert run hot and cold—one minute she's hopelessly in love with him, and the next she can't stand the sight of him.The business runs hot and cold; some months our firm doesn't earn enough to cover expenses and other months, we net 400% profits. formsran hot and cold · running hot and cold · runs hot and cold