in dribs and drabs
1dribs and drabs — [ˌdrıbz ən ˈdræbz] n [Date: 1800 1900; Origin: Drib probably from drib to fall in small drops ; DRIBBLE1. Drabs probably from dribs] in dribs and drabs in small irregular amounts or numbers over a period of time ▪ The guests arrived in dribs and… …
2dribs and drabs — [ ,drıbz ən dræbz ] noun in dribs and drabs gradually and in small amounts or numbers: The guests began arriving in dribs and drabs …
3dribs and drabs — ► PLURAL NOUN (in phrase in dribs and drabs) informal ▪ in small scattered or sporadic amounts …
4dribs and drabs — dribs′ and drabs′ n. pl. small and usu. irregular amounts …
5dribs and drabs — n.pl. colloq. small scattered amounts (did the work in dribs and drabs). Etymology: as DRIBBLE + drab redupl. * * * noun plural : miserably small or paltry amounts, portions, or fragments usually scattered over a period of time taxes collected in …
6dribs and drabs — [[t]drɪ̱bz ən dræ̱bz[/t]] PHRASE: PHR after v If people or things arrive in dribs and drabs, they arrive in small numbers over a period of time rather than arriving all together. [INFORMAL] It was a couple of months before I got any clients and… …
7dribs and drabs — If something comes in dribs and drabs, it arrives little by little, in small amounts or numbers. Instead of the crowed expected, people arrived in dribs and drabs …
8dribs and drabs — noun (plural) in dribs and drabs in small irregular amounts or numbers over a period of time: The guests arrived in dribs and drabs …
9dribs and drabs — small and usually irregular amounts: He repaid the loan in dribs and drabs. * * * …
10dribs and drabs — plural noun (in phr. in dribs and drabs) informal in small sporadic amounts. Origin C19: from obs. drib (see dribble) and drab (by reduplication) …
