What does “In dribs and drabs” mean?

"In dribs and drabs" means that something is happening or being done in small, irregular amounts or portions.

What context can I use the in?

Example

The donations came in in dribs and drabs, with some people giving a little bit each month.

Example

The information was released in dribs and drabs, causing confusion among the public.

Example

The team's performance improved in dribs and drabs, with small victories here and there

Is “In dribs and drabs” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?

“In dribs and drabs” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.

How would I use “In dribs and drabs” effectively in context?

You can use "In dribs and drabs" to describe something that happens or is done in small, irregular amounts or portions. It implies that the progress or accumulation is slow and not consistent. For example, if someone asks about the progress of a project, you might say, 'It's coming along, but we're still receiving donations "in dribs and drabs".'

1Donations
The contributions for the charity came in dribs and drabs, with some people giving a little bit each month.
2Information Release
The details were revealed in dribs and drabs, causing confusion among the public.
3Performance Improvement
The team's performance gradually got better in dribs and drabs, with small victories here and there.

Similar phrases to “In dribs and drabs”:

Bit by bit

Gradually or slowly, one small step at a time

Example

She saved money for her trip bit by bit.

Piece by piece

Gradually or slowly, one part at a time

Example

He assembled the furniture piece by piece.

Little by little

Gradually or slowly, in small increments

Example

She improved her language skills little by little.

Good things to know:

Where does the phrase “In dribs and drabs” come from?

The origin of the phrase "In dribs and drabs" is unknown.

Is “In dribs and drabs” common in everyday conversation?

Yes, "In dribs and drabs" is a commonly used idiom in everyday conversation. It is often used to describe situations where progress or accumulation is slow and inconsistent.

What tone does “In dribs and drabs” have?

"In dribs and drabs" conveys a tone of gradual progress or accumulation. It suggests that something is happening in small, scattered amounts over time.

Can “In dribs and drabs” be used in informal and formal settings?

The phrase "in dribs and drabs" is relatively informal and is commonly used in casual conversations. However, it can also be used in more formal settings to describe slow and irregular progress or accumulation.

Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?

It is commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'The information was released "in dribs and drabs", causing confusion among the public.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'Things are progressing "in dribs and drabs".'

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

consistently
all at once
in bulk
in one go
in large quantities