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

Mummo was one of the first openly gay men in Finland, but then the AIDS crisis hit, causing fear and violence. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2026

The sharpest character study lies in the potential recipient of Simon’s heart, a woman who has all but given up on having a future but then finds herself at the top of a transplant list, suddenly lucky enough to get a new life. — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2026

People can plug the beds in to make adjustments, but then should again unplug them. — Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026

One, internal use case is like serving Amazon retail, but then two, training. — Nilay Patel, The Verge, 29 Oct. 2026

Rhymes for but then

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