by fits and starts

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Past efforts to tighten security cooperation between Seoul and Tokyo have progressed by fits and starts.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 18, 2023

For all the divisions we have faced in our history and all the serious trauma of recent years, the U.S. has endured to build, by fits and starts, a more perfect union.

From Salon • Mar. 7, 2023

After the Civil War, the breakup movement kept going by fits and starts, over who was getting the rawest deal on you-name-it.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 21, 2021

The Gospel advances by fits and starts, but over time it does bring about change for the good.

From New York Times • Dec. 21, 2019

So by fits and starts, she followed Yuko into Islam.

From "Zeitoun" by Dave Eggers