BIT BY BIT

Pronunciation (US):

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does bit by bit mean? 

• BIT BY BIT (adverb)
  The adverb BIT BY BIT has 2 senses:

1. a little bit at a time

2. in a gradual manner

  Familiarity information: BIT BY BIT used as an adverb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• BIT BY BIT (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A little bit at a time

Synonyms:

bit by bit; in stages; little by little; piecemeal

Context example:

the research structure has developed piecemeal

Sense 2

Meaning:

In a gradual manner

Synonyms:

bit by bit; gradually; step by step

Context example:

the snake moved gradually toward its victim

 Context examples 

So it would seem; and the curse of it is that I must lie here, conscious, mentally unimpaired, knowing that the lines are going down, breaking bit by bit communication with the world.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

It was very like a sea, this deadly languor, that rose and rose and drowned his consciousness bit by bit.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

The soles had shed themselves bit by bit, and the upper leathers had broken and burst until the very shape and form of shoes had departed from them.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

But bit by bit, whenever the chance offered, he was getting more of the loose skin and fur in his mouth.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

It was very fetching to make the girl propose in the course of being reunited, and Martin discovered, bit by bit, other decidedly piquant and fetching ruses.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

It’s attacking my nerve-centres, eating them up, bit by bit, cell by cell—from the pain.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

Bit by bit, infinitely cautious, he approached the hand.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

Bit by bit, an inch at a time, with here a wolf bellying forward, and there a wolf bellying forward, the circle would narrow until the brutes were almost within springing distance.

(White Fang, by Jack London)