by degrees

Idioms  

1. Gradually, by successive steps or stages. For example, By degrees he began to delegate more and more of his duties to his staff. [Mid-1500s] Also see by inches.

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Example Sentences

Sir Geoffrey said: "Both government and the BBC should seriously think about how the World Service's influence can be bolstered around the world, rather than risk its reach withering by degrees year on year."

From BBC • Mar. 12, 2026

This broke down by degrees, critically in the Sicilian Expedition of 415-413 B.C., when Athens tried and failed to annex Syracuse, a Spartan ally.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 21, 2025

Even after the Nazis invade Poland, halfway through the opening episode, things advance by degrees, so that the next worst thing can’t quite be imagined, and once imagined really believed.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 28, 2024

Arti Gollapudi plays all three of Deepali’s older sisters, for example, differing mainly by degrees of uptightness.

From New York Times • Nov. 20, 2023

Millers, who was the other nurse, retired into the house, and by degrees the child’s wailing was hushed and stopped, as if it were a young ventriloquist with something in its mouth.

From "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens