ENGLISH
REFERENCE

once in a while

idiom
Meaning

Occasionally; sometimes.


Examples
SIMPLE

I go for a walk once in a while.

CONTEXTUAL

Although I usually prefer coffee, I enjoy a cup of tea once in a while.

COMPLEX

Even though they live in different countries, they manage to call each other once in a while to catch up on their lives.

Anchors to
Related idioms6entries
  1. 01

    all at once

    Unexpectedly; without warning; all of a sudden.

  2. 02

    for this once

    On this particular occasion, to make an exception

  3. 03

    once again

    Again, once more, one more time.

  4. 04

    once and for all

    Conclusively, finally, permanently.

  5. 05

    once in a blue moon

    Very rarely; very infrequently.

  6. 06

    once or twice

    A small, indefinite number of times.

© 2026 English Reference