by fits and starts
斷斷續續地,間斷地
Fit, n.
1. A stroke or blow. [Obs. or R.]
Curse on that cross, quoth then the Sarazin,
That keeps thy body from the bitter fit. --Spenser.
2. A sudden and violent attack of a disorder; a stroke of disease, as of epilepsy or apoplexy, which produces convulsions or unconsciousness; a convulsion; a paroxysm; hence, a period of exacerbation of a disease; in general, an attack of disease; as, a fit of sickness.
And when the fit was on him, I did mark
How he did shake. --Shak.
3. A mood of any kind which masters or possesses one for a time; a temporary, absorbing affection; a paroxysm; as, a fit of melancholy, of passion, or of laughter.
All fits of pleasure we balanced by an equal degree of pain. --Swift.
The English, however, were on this subject prone to fits of jealously. --Macaulay.
4. A passing humor; a caprice; a sudden and unusual effort, activity, or motion, followed by relaxation or inaction; an impulsive and irregular action.
The fits of the season. --Shak.
5. A darting point; a sudden emission. [R.]
A tongue of light, a fit of flame. --Coleridge.
By fits, By fits and starts, by intervals of action and repose; impulsively and irregularly; intermittently.
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by fits and starts
adv : intermittently; "he worked on his book by fits and starts"
[syn: with many interruptions]