dribs and drabs

dribs and drabs
   If something comes in dribs and drabs, it arrives little by little, in small amounts or numbers.
   

Instead of the crowed expected, people arrived in dribs and drabs..


English Idioms & idiomatic expressions. 2014.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • dribs and drabs — [ˌdrıbz ən ˈdræbz] n [Date: 1800 1900; Origin: Drib probably from drib to fall in small drops ; DRIBBLE1. Drabs probably from dribs] in dribs and drabs in small irregular amounts or numbers over a period of time ▪ The guests arrived in dribs and… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • dribs and drabs — [ ,drıbz ən dræbz ] noun in dribs and drabs gradually and in small amounts or numbers: The guests began arriving in dribs and drabs …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • dribs and drabs — ► PLURAL NOUN (in phrase in dribs and drabs) informal ▪ in small scattered or sporadic amounts …   English terms dictionary

  • dribs and drabs — dribs′ and drabs′ n. pl. small and usu. irregular amounts …   From formal English to slang

  • dribs and drabs — n.pl. colloq. small scattered amounts (did the work in dribs and drabs). Etymology: as DRIBBLE + drab redupl. * * * noun plural : miserably small or paltry amounts, portions, or fragments usually scattered over a period of time taxes collected in …   Useful english dictionary

  • dribs and drabs — [[t]drɪ̱bz ən dræ̱bz[/t]] PHRASE: PHR after v If people or things arrive in dribs and drabs, they arrive in small numbers over a period of time rather than arriving all together. [INFORMAL] It was a couple of months before I got any clients and… …   English dictionary

  • dribs and drabs — noun (plural) in dribs and drabs in small irregular amounts or numbers over a period of time: The guests arrived in dribs and drabs …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • dribs and drabs — small and usually irregular amounts: He repaid the loan in dribs and drabs. * * * …   Universalium

  • dribs and drabs — plural noun (in phr. in dribs and drabs) informal in small sporadic amounts. Origin C19: from obs. drib (see dribble) and drab (by reduplication) …   English new terms dictionary

  • dribs and drabs — {n. phr.} Portions; small bits. * /John paid Oliver back what he owed him in dribs and drabs./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

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