dribs and drabs

plural noun

1. small and usually irregular amounts.

   He repaid the loan in dribs and drabs.

dribs and drabs

/ drɪbz /

plural noun

1. small sporadic amounts

Idioms and Phrases

Bits and pieces, negligible amounts, as in There's not much left, just some dribs and drabs of samples. The noun drib is thought to be a shortening of driblet, for “drop” or “tiny quantity,” dating from the early 1700s, whereas drab meaning “a small sum of money” dates from the early 1800s.

Example Sentences

Over approximately the last 12 months, since the toys became more of an online trend, Mr Orrell said stock would only arrive in "dribs and drabs" and his shop had had to reduce the size of its Jellycat display.

From BBC

"We've been going for the past 20 years or so. We normally book a year ahead then save up in dribs and drabs," she said.

From BBC

While we may take solace from dribs and drabs of news that the worst Musk excesses are finally facing some pushback, the overwhelming mood from within the halls of the federal government is one of mourning.

From Slate

Hopefully, more will come in, because they tend to come in in dribs and drabs over the first few months of the year.

From BBC

“It took us two years to do 19 episodes. They would pick us up — six here, five there — in these little dribs and drabs. It was very, very difficult,” Herskovitz said.

From Los Angeles Times