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

Milwaukee has a partly cloudy forecast until around midnight, but then there is a 20% chance of precipitation. —Cailey Gleeson, jsonline.com, 8 Jan. 2026

The owl represents the drive to do something, but then there are other forces. —Bettina Funcke, Artforum, 7 Jan. 2026

Unlike with Pitt-Hopkins, babies with Rett appear to develop as expected at first, but then experience progressive loss of motor and communication skills. —Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Jan. 2026

For observers on Earth's night side in North America, South America, parts of Europe and Africa, the chief sight will be the edge of Earth's shadow creeping across the lunar surface, and perhaps a hint of red as totality is approached but then snatched away. —Jamie Carter, Space.com, 1 Jan. 2026

Rhymes for but then

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