Little By Little (Adverb)

Meaning ¹

A little bit at a time; "the research structure has developed piecemeal".

Examples

• The company's profits have increased little by little over the past year due to their consistent marketing efforts.
• She learned the language little by little through online courses and language exchange programs.
• The ancient city was excavated little by little, with archaeologists carefully uncovering each new layer of history.
• The research structure has developed little by little, with new findings and discoveries being added gradually over time.
• The artist's skills improved little by little as she continued to practice and experiment with different techniques.

Synonyms

• Piecemeal
• Bit By Bit
• In Stages

Meaning ²

By a short distance; "they moved it by inches".

Examples

• The construction crew moved the massive stone little by little, using pulleys and levers to inch it into place.
• The patient made progress in her physical therapy, regaining strength little by little with each passing day.
• The archaeologists excavated the ancient site little by little, carefully brushing away dirt and debris to reveal hidden artifacts.
• The family slowly renovated their home little by little, tackling one room at a time to stay within their budget.
• The hikers climbed the steep mountain trail little by little, pausing frequently to catch their breath and take in the breathtaking views.

Synonyms

• By Small Degrees
• By Inches