Sekirov Dictionary

touch and go

verb 3
adjective 2
touch-and-go noun 1
forms 7

verb3

•
To touch bottom lightly and continue without damage, as a vessel in motion.
- Whilst they were disputing the vessel touched the ground, but soon got off again. "Ay," says the captain, "he is a good pilot that can touch and go." — 1771
To perform a touch-and-go landing.
•
(no longer used) To briefly encounter before moving on.
- As the text doth rise, I will touch and go a little in euery place, untill I come unto too much. — 1607

adjective2

•
Precarious, delicate, risky, sensitive; of uncertain outcome (by analogy with a ship in shallow water).
- His condition was touch and go for a time after the accident, but they think he will recover.
- I could sense it was touch and go whether I could get the lay.
•
(no longer used) Characterized by brief and transitory encounters.
- Madam, I’m gone; no wonder, for you know, Lovers' encounters are but touch and go. — 1665

touch-and-go noun1

Ellipsis of touch-and-go landing.

forms

touched and went · touched and gone · touching and going · touches and goes · touch-and-goes · more touch and go · most touch and go

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