but then

idiom

1

—used to introduce a statement that adds another and different thought to a preceding statement

I'm surprised to hear that Tom has left the army. But then I suppose he never was the type to obey orders.

—sometimes used to introduce an explanation for something

His cakes are amazing—but then he did study with some of the best pastry chefs in the world.

2

—used to introduce a statement that tells about something different or surprising that happened next

The team won the first two games, but then failed to win any of the next five.

Examples of but then in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In 1998, Sheen had a stroke after an overdose, but then quickly left rehab. —Michael Schneider, Variety, 10 Sep. 2025

Kremser went 0-15 in his first year at Davidson but then improved to five wins and then eight wins, winning honors as Southern Conference Coach of the Year. —Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2025

Lighting is all-LED, but then again, that is more or less standard with most bikes these days. —New Atlas, 8 Sep. 2025

So the Pats deployed an extra defensive back, but then Jeanty barreled ahead to sustain an eventual 12-play scoring drive. —Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 8 Sep. 2025

Rhymes for but then

• again
• airmen
• amen
• bullpen
• culmen
• flagmen
• gunmen
• lawmen
• oilmen
• playpen
• schoolmen
• tegmen