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• by-and-by
  by-and-by

  noun

  the future.
• by and by
  by and by

  adverb

  presently or eventually

by-and-by

American  

[bahy-uhn-bahy] / ˌbaɪ ənˈbaɪ /

noun

1. the future.

   to meet in the sweet by-and-by.

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by and by British  

adverb

1. presently or eventually

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noun

1. a future time or occasion

by and by Idioms  

1. After a while, soon, as in She'll be along by and by. The expression probably relies on the meaning of by as a succession of quantities (as in “two by two”). This adverbial phrase came to be used as a noun, denoting either procrastination or the future. William Camden so used it for the former (Remains, 1605): “Two anons and a by and by is an hour and a half.” And W.S. Gilbert used it in the latter sense when Lady Jane sings plaintively that little will be left of her “in the coming by and by,” that is, as she grows old (Patience, 1881). [Early 1500s]

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Etymology

Origin of by-and-by

1300–50; Middle English bi and bi one by one, at once. See by

Example Sentences

Leon allows only a misty glimpse of the sweet by-and-by.

From Time Magazine Archive

"I plan to attempt it again by-and-by," he told reporters.

From Time Magazine Archive

Teen magazines thus urge their advertisers to pursue the consumer "not in the sweet by-and-by, but in the much sweeter now-and-now."

From Time Magazine Archive

“Not at all. You are sixteen now, quite old enough to be my confidant, and my experience will be useful to you by-and-by, perhaps, in your own affairs of this sort.”

From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott

It was well for all that this peaceful time was given them as preparation for the sad hours to come, for by-and-by, Beth said the needle was ‘so heavy’, and put it down forever.

From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott