Now and then

Now and then

Meaning/Usage: Once in a while

Explanation: "Then" is an unspecific time in the future.  When a person does not do something regularly, they can use this phrase to imply once in a while.

"I go on a hike every now and then."
"My mother calls me every now and then to see if I'm doing well."
"It's not something I can do all the time, but I do it every now and then."

A:  "Do you like skiing?"
B:  "I really enjoy skiing.  It's one of my favorite sports."
A:  "You must go very frequently then."
B:  "I wish I could, but it's too expensive, so I only go every now and then."

Other Common Sentences

"I like to go bowling once in a while."
"I can't go often, but I go golfing with my friends from time to time."