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.

---

Example Sentences

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

From Barron's • Apr. 29, 2026

We still meet up every now and then.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 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

“If you want to fit oversized burgers into your healthy eating plan, enjoy them every now and then, and make sure to pair them with other good choices,” she said.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 30, 2026

But every now and then, Bat awoke to a completely quiet house.

From "A Boy Called Bat" by Elana K. Arnold

Related Words

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