at a time

at a time

1. In a single, continuous period of time.

   He manages to abstain from smoking for weeks at a time, but then gives in and starts again.

2. Simultaneously at each occurrence (of some action).
   • 1898, Winston Churchill, chapter 4, in The Celebrity:

     The Celebrity, by arts unknown, induced Mrs. Judge Short and two other ladies to call at Mohair on an afternoon when Mr. Cooke was trying a trotter on the track. […] Their example was followed by others at a time when the master of Mohair was superintending in person the docking of some two-year-olds, and equally invisible.

   climb stairs two at a time

• (in a single, continuous period of time): in a row, at a stretch
• (simultaneously at each occurrence): at once, at one time, at the same time, simultaneously, together; see also Thesaurus:simultaneously

• (simultaneously at each occurrence): individually, one at a time, piecemeal, separately, severally, singly

• one at a time

• Maietta, tamaite