en dents de scie

French

Etymology

Literally, “in sawtooth [fashion]”.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɑ̃ dɑ̃ d(ə) si/

• Audio:

  (file)

Adjective

en dents de scie (invariable)

1. jagged, serrated
2. (figuratively) uneven, chequered, inconsistent

   un parcours en dents de scie ― a switchback, a roller-coaster career

   des performances en dents de scie ― (please add an English translation of this usage example)

   des résultats en dents de scie ― (please add an English translation of this usage example)