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

There were a couple loud yells, but then the train didn’t really stop immediately. —David Chiu, PEOPLE, 11 Nov. 2025

Paramount also made headlines on the talent front, luring the Duffer Brothers from Netflix but then allowing Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan to decamp for a deal with NBCUniversal. —Dade Hayes, Deadline, 10 Nov. 2025

The movie is very much about characters that appear to be one way, but then are actually quite different. —Adam B. Vary, Variety, 10 Nov. 2025

Rayo began 2023-24 well under Iraola’s successor Francisco Rodriguez but then started to falter. —Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025

Rhymes for but then

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