adverb
1. a little bit at a time
-
the research structure has developed piecemeal
• Syn: ↑piecemeal, ↑little by little, ↑in stages
2. in a gradual manner
-
the snake moved gradually toward its victim
• Syn: ↑gradually, ↑step by step
* * *
GRADUALLY, little by little, in stages, step by step, piecemeal, slowly.
→ bit
* * *
adverb* * *
bit by bit
1. Piecemeal
2. Gradually
• • •
Main Entry: ↑bit
* * *
bit by bit phrase
gradually or in small stages
I’ll move my things into the flat bit by bit.
Main entry: bit
* * *
gradually
the school was built bit by bit over the years
* * *
bit by bit
: by small steps or amounts : ↑gradually
The situation improved bit by bit. [=little by little]
I got to know them bit by bit.
• • •
Main Entry: ↑bit
* * *
bit by ˈbit idiom
a piece at a time; gradually
•
He assembled the model aircraft bit by bit.
•
Bit by bit memories of the night came back to me.
Useful english dictionary. 2012.