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

At one point, the stock was up 4% after hours, but then the sellers took a slice. —Jason Gewirtz, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2026

Duke stretched its lead to 19 points early in the third quarter, but then the Hurricanes went on a 7-0 run and started closing the gap. —Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2026

These films often took familiar genres or plot structures but then told those stories through a distinctly Korean lens. —Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026

When the gross lord of the manor tries to assault one of Sophie's fellow maids, Sophie stands up to him, but then the violent creep is about to harm Sophie. —Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026

Rhymes for but then

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