every now and then

(every) now and then

Occasionally; sometimes. Josh does stop by the store every now and then, but I haven't seen him lately. I don't eat a lot of sweets, but every now and then I just need a piece of chocolate cake. I don't travel often, but now and then I just need to get away from the city.

See also: and, now

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

every now and then

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.

See also: and, every, now

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.