"in dribs and drabs" in Chinese (Simplified)

• 零零星星
• 一点一点

Definition

如果某事“零零星星”地发生，就意味着它是分批、不规律地一点点发生，而不是一次性全部发生。

Usage Notes (Chinese (Simplified))

这是一个口语、略带无奈的表达。常与“到达”、“来”、“收到”等动词搭配。比“一点点”多了不规律和拖拉的意思，不适合正式场合。

Examples

The donations arrived in dribs and drabs over several months.

捐款是**零零星星**地在几个月里到达的。

The information comes in dribs and drabs, not all at once.

信息是**一点一点**地传过来的，不是一口气全部到。

The guests arrived in dribs and drabs throughout the evening.

客人们是**零零星星**地在晚上陆续到的。

We only got the results in dribs and drabs, so it was hard to plan.

我们只**零零星星**地拿到了结果，所以很难制定计划。

Supplies were sent in dribs and drabs, making the project move slowly.

物资是**零零星星**地运来的，项目进展缓慢。

Money for repairs came in dribs and drabs, never enough to finish at once.

修理的钱是**一点一点**地来的，从没有一次到位。