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

The cast was obviously there for the conversation that happened at the dinner table, but then the conversation between Stassi and Beau went off away from the table. — Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 11 Aug. 2026

The announcement was striking for the governor, who once supported conventional electric vehicles but then turned on them, becoming increasingly hostile to policies designed to encourage EV adoption. — Emily L. Mahoney, Miami Herald, 11 Aug. 2026

Abbas Kiarostami did that in Taste of Cherry, which befuddled certain audiences but then also won the Palme d’Or in 1997. — Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026

Moore was able to get her to safety, but then was pulled underwater by the rip current himself and disappeared. — Dan Raby, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026

Rhymes for but then

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