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

Gately had testified as part of the grand jury that led to Measures’ indictment after he had been booked on a national commercial and initially received payment and residuals from it, but then did not receive the $6,500 from KMR when the commercial was renewed for a third time. —Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2025

During that time, he was adopted but then returned two days later, only to return to the euthanasia list. —Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025

Oil prices briefly spiked after Israel attacked Iran, but then came down again. —Frank Witsil, Freep.com, 14 July 2025

Overall imports into the United States are expected to rise in July, but then fall by double digits through the end of the year, according to the National Retail Federation’s port tracker. —Vanessa Yurkevich, CNN Money, 14 July 2025

Rhymes for but then

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