ENGLISH
REFERENCE

then and there

idiom
Meaning

Right at that moment in time and on the spot; immediately.


Examples
SIMPLE

I decided to buy the car then and there.

CONTEXTUAL

When he realized he had forgotten his wallet, he turned around and went home then and there.

COMPLEX

Upon hearing the shocking news, she resigned from her position then and there, leaving the board members in stunned silence.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    all there

    Mentally competent; not absent-minded or insane.

  2. 02

    as if there were no tomorrow

    To an excessive degree, oftentimes with little to no regard to future consequences; desperately; recklessly or wantonly; frantically; very quickly or very much.

  3. 03

    be there

    To be available to provide comfort and support for someone, especially in a period of difficulty.

  4. 04

    been there, done that

    An assertion that the speaker has personal experience or knowledge of a particular place or topic and is not too keen on revisiting or redoing it again.

  5. 05

    been there, done that, bought the T-shirt

    Expresses the speaker's complete familiarity with a situation, with overtones of cynicism or exhaustion.

  6. 06

    been there, done that, got the T-shirt

    Alternative form of been there, done that, bought the T-shirt.

  7. 07

    don't go there

    Do not broach that topic.

  8. 08

    get there

    To succeed after a lengthy attempt.

Last updated April 17, 2026