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

It needs only to “get lucky” every now and then to undermine the resolve and weaken the defense of the stronger party.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 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

They were mostly kept open, but every now and then they were closed for a military exercise.

From Salon • Dec. 7, 2025

Chris, 36, and Joanne, 29 say they used to go to Pizza Hut for a date "every now and then", but now they order in a Domino's and think Pizza Hut is "very overpriced".

From BBC • Oct. 25, 2025

I couldn't make it out too clearly because every now and then someone would interrupt with a shout or a cheer.

From "The Chosen" by Chaim Potok

Related Words

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