little by little
 一點一點地,逐漸,慢慢地


 Lit·tle, n.
 1. That which is little; a small quantity, amount, space, or the like.
    Much was in little writ.   --Dryden.
    There are many expressions, which carrying with them no clear ideas, are like to remove but little of my ignorance.   --Locke.
 2. A small degree or scale; miniature. “ His picture in little.”
    A little, to or in a small degree; to a limited extent; somewhat; for a short time. =\“ Stay a little.”\=
    The painter flattered her a little.   --Shak.
 -- By little and little, or Little by little, by slow degrees; piecemeal; gradually.


 little by little
      adv 1: a little bit at a time; "the research structure has
             developed piecemeal" [syn: piecemeal, bit by bit,
             in stages]
      2: by a short distance; "they moved it by inches" [syn: {by
         inches, by small degrees]