every now and then

Idioms  

1. Also, every now and again; every once in a while; every so often. Occasionally, from time to time; also, periodically. For example, Every now and then I long for a piece of chocolate, or We take long walks every now and again, or Every once in a while he'll call, or Every so often she washes the car. The first term dates from the first half of the 1700s, the last from the mid-1900s. Also see from time to time; once in a while.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

every now and then

I really mostly went to the director and every now and then I might throw a little something his way.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 2, 2026

"We keep in touch every now and then," the WHO chief told reporters.

From Barron's ● Apr. 29, 2026

“I know I’m pretty good at times, but you know, a bit of luck every now and then is helpful, too.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 12, 2026

He says he went from being a teenager who used steroid creams to manage his eczema "every now and then", to experiencing such horrific symptoms he had to drop out of university.

From BBC ● Mar. 28, 2026

Harry whiled away the hours until dawn in front of the fire, getting up every now and then to stop Crookshanks from sneaking up the boys’ staircase again.

From "Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban" by J.K. Rowling

Related Words

• every so often
• now and again
• now and then