释义 |
dribs and drabsdribs and drabs /ˌdrɪbz ən ˈdræbz/ noun dribs and drabsOrigin: 1800-1900 Drib probably from drib ‘to fall in small drops’; ➔ DRIBBLE1. Drabs probably from dribs - Mayne's squadron assembled at Kufra in dribs and drabs by the beginning of October.
when a small number of people or things arrive, leave etc► a trickle a number of people going in small groups from one place to another, especially from one country to another, over a long period of time: · The flow of immigrants from Bosnia has slowed to a trickle.a trickle of: · Since the rebellion there has been a steady trickle of refugees making their way across the border. ► in dribs and drabs if people or things arrive, leave etc in dribs and drabs , they come or go in small groups and not all together at the same time: · The wedding guests were arriving in dribs and drabs.· He insisted on paying me back in dribs and drabs, five or ten dollars at a time. ► in ones and twos if people or things arrive, leave etc in ones or twos , they arrive etc on their own or in very small groups: · There were only about fifty people in the hall, standing around in ones and twos. ► in dribs and drabs- He insisted on paying me back in dribs and drabs, five or ten dollars at a time.
- News of the accident is coming in in dribs and drabs.
- The wedding guests were arriving in dribs and drabs.
in dribs and drabs in small irregular amounts or numbers over a period of time: The guests arrived in dribs and drabs. |