DICT.TW Dictionary Taiwan

 by fits and starts
 斷斷續續地,間斷地

 Fit, n.
 1. A stroke or blow. [Obs. or R.]
 Curse on that cross, quoth then the Sarazin,
 That keeps thy body from the bitter fit.   --Spenser.
 2. A sudden and violent attack of a disorder; a stroke of disease, as of epilepsy or apoplexy, which produces convulsions or unconsciousness; a convulsion; a paroxysm; hence, a period of exacerbation of a disease; in general, an attack of disease; as, a fit of sickness.
 And when the fit was on him, I did mark
 How he did shake.   --Shak.
 3. A mood of any kind which masters or possesses one for a time; a temporary, absorbing affection; a paroxysm; as, a fit of melancholy, of passion, or of laughter.
    All fits of pleasure we balanced by an equal degree of pain.   --Swift.
    The English, however, were on this subject prone to fits of jealously.   --Macaulay.
 4. A passing humor; a caprice; a sudden and unusual effort, activity, or motion, followed by relaxation or inaction; an impulsive and irregular action.
    The fits of the season.   --Shak.
 5. A darting point; a sudden emission. [R.]
    A tongue of light, a fit of flame.   --Coleridge.
 By fits, By fits and starts, by intervals of action and repose; impulsively and irregularly; intermittently.
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 by fits and starts
      adv : intermittently; "he worked on his book by fits and starts"
            [syn: with many interruptions]