two by two
idiom
: two at a time : first two and then another two, etc.
They entered the room two by two.
Examples of two by two in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The boy had no choice but to sweep the tablets toward himself and then push them, two by two, into his outstretched palm.
—
Karan Mahajan, New Yorker, 3 July 2025
Thou shalt resist the urge to collect all botanical beings, two by two, regardless of any sacred recommendations.
—Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025
At the last conclave in 2013, the order of the procession began with the cross, choir, prelates and the secretary of the conclave, before the cardinals entered two by two in the reverse order of their hierarchical precedence (deacons, priests, then bishops).
—Nbc News, NBC news, 7 May 2025
On Friday night, the lobby of the Apollo Theater was filled with life-size photos of artists together, two by two: Lisa and Tyla, Reneé Rapp and Cynthia Erivo, Bruce Springsteen and Zach Bryan, and more.
—Rolling Stone, 23 Nov. 2024
And then there’s been this year, when the hornworms and aphids have been pairing up two by two with their umbrellas.
—Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 June 2024
That show was Noah’s Ark—two animals, two by two.
2021
The Thom Browne spring 2021 collection was presented by way of a film produced in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic at the Los Angeles Coliseum.
—José Criales-Unzueta, Vogue, 3 Nov. 2023
But as dancers sway two by two around the stage, Swift stands alone.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Oct. 2023
Just listen to any love song to know that most folks like to travel two by two.
—Bea Lewis, Sun Sentinel, 12 Jan. 2023
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Karan Mahajan, New Yorker, 3 July 2025
Thou shalt resist the urge to collect all botanical beings, two by two, regardless of any sacred recommendations.
—Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025
At the last conclave in 2013, the order of the procession began with the cross, choir, prelates and the secretary of the conclave, before the cardinals entered two by two in the reverse order of their hierarchical precedence (deacons, priests, then bishops).
—Nbc News, NBC news, 7 May 2025
On Friday night, the lobby of the Apollo Theater was filled with life-size photos of artists together, two by two: Lisa and Tyla, Reneé Rapp and Cynthia Erivo, Bruce Springsteen and Zach Bryan, and more.
—Rolling Stone, 23 Nov. 2024
And then there’s been this year, when the hornworms and aphids have been pairing up two by two with their umbrellas.
—Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 June 2024
That show was Noah’s Ark—two animals, two by two.
2021
The Thom Browne spring 2021 collection was presented by way of a film produced in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic at the Los Angeles Coliseum.
—José Criales-Unzueta, Vogue, 3 Nov. 2023
But as dancers sway two by two around the stage, Swift stands alone.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Oct. 2023
Just listen to any love song to know that most folks like to travel two by two.
—Bea Lewis, Sun Sentinel, 12 Jan. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Two by two.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/two%20by%20two. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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