from time to time
/frəm ˌtaɪm tə ˈtaɪm/NEUTRAL · B2
Meaning
occasionally, without a regular pattern
Examples
- 1We still exchange postcards from time to time, although months can pass between them.
- 2From time to time, a fox visits our garden, but we never know when to expect it.
- 3My old teacher writes from time to time; her last two letters arrived three months apart.
- 4Most pages print perfectly, but from time to time a blank sheet appears among them.
- 5We usually have fruit after dinner, but from time to time we share a box of chocolates.
Grammar
A fixed adverbial phrase. Repeat time in the singular, without articles; use from and to.
Similar in meaning
More idioms about time
All 20 idioms and the topic quiz →behind the timesold-fashioned and unaware of modern developmentsahead of your timemore innovative than most people of your periodstand the test of timeto remain useful, strong or popular over many yearsa race against timean urgent effort to finish before a deadlineon the spur of the momentsuddenly, without having planned beforehandlose track of timeto stop noticing how much time has passed
English Idioms400 idioms in 20 topics — with reviews that keep them from fading
Here you get a couple of questions. The app gives you 16 practice modes, native equivalents and spaced repetition that tells you when it’s time to refresh.
