now and again: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘now and again’ mean?
The idiom "now and again" means occasionally or from time to time.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "then again" is used to introduce a contrasting or opposite viewpoint or idea. It implies a shift in perspective or a reconsideration of a previous statement. It is often used when acknowledging a different argument or point of view.
The idiom "over and over again" means repeatedly doing or experiencing something.
The idiom "one-off" refers to something that happens or is done only once, and is not repeated or meant to be continuous.
An idiom, "one moment," is often used to ask for a brief pause or to indicate a short delay in a conversation or an action.
"Once or twice" is an idiomatic phrase that means to have done something a few times, but not regularly or frequently.
The idiom "once in a while" means occasionally or infrequently.
The idiom "once again" means to do something repeatedly or to have a recurring event or situation. It implies that something has happened before and is happening again. It can also indicate a sense of familiarity or predictability.
The idiom "on a regular basis" means doing something consistently or at fixed intervals of time, without any variation or irregularity.
The idiom "on an irregular basis" means to do something in an inconsistent or unpredictable manner.
The idiom "on and off" means to do something intermittently or inconsistently, with periods of activity followed by periods of inactivity or cessation.
Unpredictable Rhythms
The related idiom "now and then" is another commonly used expression in the English language. It has a similar meaning to "now and again," indicating that something happens occasionally or intermittently. The phrase "now and then" can be used interchangeably with "now and again" in most contexts. For example, one might say, "I like to go camping now and then," meaning that they do it occasionally, when they feel like it.
The related idiom "once in a while" is also used to describe something that happens occasionally or infrequently. It is often interchangeable with "now and again" and "now and then." For example, one might say, "I treat myself to a piece of chocolate cake once in a while," meaning that they do it occasionally, as a special treat.
Overall, the idioms "now and then" and "once in a while" share a common meaning with "now and again." They all convey the idea of something happening occasionally, without a fixed or regular schedule. These idioms are versatile expressions that can be used to describe sporadic actions or unexpected occurrences.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom now and again can be used in a sentence:
- He visits his grandparents now and again.
- We enjoy going for a walk on the beach now and again.
- She likes to indulge in a piece of chocolate cake now and again.
Analysis:
The idiom now and again is used to indicate something that occurs occasionally or at irregular intervals. It implies that the event or action described happens every so often, but not regularly or frequently.
In the first example, the phrase "now and again" suggests that the person visits their grandparents occasionally, but not on a regular basis.
The second example uses "now and again" to convey the idea that the act of going for a walk on the beach is enjoyed sporadically and not as a routine.
In the third example, "now and again" is used to express that indulging in a piece of chocolate cake is something done occasionally or as an infrequent treat.
More "Frequency" idioms
