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often
as often as not
Frequently; more than half the time. The phrase is not always preceded by the adverb "as." As often as not, I end up disliking coming back to my hometown for a visit. I'll have a drink with dinner often as not.
bad workers always blame their tools
If someone performs a job or task poorly or unsuccessfully, he or she will usually lay the blame on the quality of his or her equipment, or other such external factors, rather than take responsibility for his or her own failure. The football player blamed the overinflated ball for costing his team the game, but as they say, bad workers always blame their tools.
(as) often as not
In most instances; usually; at least, if not more than, half the time. As often as not, Jamie's and David's debates end up turning into petty arguments. I find these introductory college courses to be, often as not, a rather boring waste of one's time.
the pitcher will go to the well once too often
A period of good luck will eventually end. I know that being on a winning streak is very exciting, but just remember that the pitcher will go to the well once too often. I'm sure he will continue to break the law until he gets caught. The pitcher will go to the well once too often.
Half the truth is often a whole lie.
Prov. If you do not tell the whole truth, you can mislead people just as if you tell them an outright lie. Jill: You lied to me. Jane: I did not. Everything I said was true. Jill: But you didn't tell me the whole story. And half the truth is often a whole lie.
Little and often fills the purse.
Prov. If you get a little bit of money frequently, you will always have enough. Jill: I don't think I'll ever be able to save very much; I can only afford to save such a little bit of money from every paycheck. Jane: Ah, but little and often fills the purse.
more often than not
Fig. usually. These flowers will live through the winter more often than not. This kind of dog will grow up to be a good watchdog more often than not.
every so often
sometimes (every) once in a while We still get together for lunch every so often.
Related vocabulary: (every) now and thenmore often than not
(spoken) usually In winter the days are very short, and more often than not you're driving with your headlights on.
every now and then
Also,
every now and again;
every once in a while;
every so often. Occasionally, from time to time; also, periodically. For example,
Every now and then I long for a piece of chocolate, or
We take long walks every now and again, or
Every once in a while he'll call, or
Every so often she washes the car. The first term dates from the first half of the 1700s, the last from the mid-1900s. Also see
from time to time;
once in a while.
more often than not
Also, often as not. Fairly frequently, more than or at least half the time, as in More often than not we'll have dinner in the den, or Dean and Chris agree on travel plans, often as not. [First half of 1900s]
often as not
every so often
At intervals; occasionally.