bit by bit

Idioms  

1. Also, little by little. Gradually, by small degrees, slowly. For example, The squirrels dug up the lawn bit by bit, till we had almost no grass, or Little by little he began to understand what John was getting at. The first term was first recorded in 1849, although bit in the sense of “small amount” is much older; the variant dates from the 1400s.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

bit by bit

"It's quite a processional experience because people have to go bit by bit through the tapestry," Lewis said.

From Barron's ● Sep. 10, 2026

And then to have that knocked out of you bit by bit.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 5, 2026

Instead of all or nothing, the U.S. is pushing for a more piecemeal approach where these things can happen in tandem bit by bit.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026

"We can't do that for our ocean. We have to map it bit by bit using acoustic instruments on ships," he explains.

From BBC ● Mar. 7, 2026

Writing it down in fancy books that get all dusty with age has lessened it, removed its power bit by bit.

From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern