but then

phrase

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

Fans wailed outside St James’ and Keegan stood on the steps to placate them, but then Les Ferdinand arrived and another Hollywood-upon-Tyne took shape. — George Caulkin, New York Times, 21 July 2026

Why is so much effort going into attracting customers and building awareness, but then what happens after a purchase is overlooked? — Serenity Gibbons, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

Nissan offered a $199 2G‑to‑3G TCU upgrade, which was partially subsidized by the manufacturer, for many 2011–2014 Leaf models but then offered the same upgrade to 2015 Leaf owners for free. — Michael Harley, ArsTechnica, 21 July 2026

The Golden State might be a West Coast utopia, but then Californians live on a fault line that traverses most of it. — Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2026

Rhymes for but then

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