By the way, do you have the time?
by the way
idiomIrrelevantly, off-topic.
Origin
first recorded 10th c.First appeared in the 10th century with literal meaning "by the side of the road", from Old English weġ (which became "way") meaning "road". Soon afterward (circa 1000) it came to mean "during one's journey". The figurative meaning developed in the mid-16th century, with the first instance of the modern meaning being from 1614.
We finished discussing the project, and by the way, did you remember to email the client?
She finished her presentation with great confidence, and by the way, she mentioned that the team had already secured the necessary funding for the next phase.
- 01
a little of something goes a long way
Only a small amount of something is usually required to produce a great effect.
- 02
all the way to Egery and back
The long way; a roundabout route; a long distance to travel.
- 03
come a long way
To make significant progress.
- 04
cry all the way to the bank
To be happy due to the receipt of money, but sad about the cause.
- 05
die the way one lived
To die because of or after doing something characteristic of oneself, especially something that one enjoyed doing.
- 06
don't let the door hit you on the way out
Used as a command to leave in haste, or to indicate that one is glad, or at least unmoved, to see the addressed person leaving.
- 07
feel one's way
To do by guesswork, erring on the side of caution.
- 08
fetch way
To move from the proper place; to come loose.