phrase

• From time to time; occasionally.

  ‘Just once in a while, I stumble on a little piece of evidence that proves the world is as mad as I'm starting to think it is.’

  More example sentences

  • ‘Every once in a while, friends and friends-of-friends come to live with us.’
  • ‘Does she want her husband to say thank you once in a while, or help her out or just not go fishing at all?’
  • ‘Every once in a while, a science fiction film comes along that really shakes things up.’
  • ‘Every once in a while, it's a good idea to turn away from world events and take a look at the issues on one's doorstep.’
  • ‘He introduced himself to me and asked if I'd like him to visit once in a while on his rounds.’
  • ‘If, once in a while, we all take responsibility for our own doings maybe then we can all get on with a better life.’
  • ‘But they do have a cute blog which you should check out every once in a while.’
  • ‘He'd come back to the house every once in a while, blind drunk, making everyone's life a misery.’
  • ‘I dip into my comments section and reply every once in a while, mostly to show people that I read them.’

  Synonyms

  occasionally, from time to time, now and again, now and then, every now and again, every now and then, every so often, every once in a while, on occasion, on occasions, on the odd occasion, at times, sometimes, off and on, at intervals, periodically, sporadically, spasmodically, erratically, irregularly, intermittently, by fits and starts, in fits and starts, fitfully, discontinuously, piecemeal

  View synonyms