by and by
In due time
By and by means after a while or eventually, suggesting something will happen at some unspecified future time.
The phrase has an old-fashioned or literary quality and often appears in hymns and folk songs referencing the afterlife or a better time to come: We'll meet again by and by.
In everyday use it conveys patient expectation rather than urgency.
At a later time
- laterAt a subsequent time
- soonIn brief time
- in timeBefore too late
- before longIn the near future
presently · shortly · anon · forthcoming · impending · imminent · approaching · coming
Remaining in expectation
- enduranceSustained effort capacity
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
- forbearancePatient self-control, delayed enforcement
- long-sufferingPatiently enduring hardship
steadfastness · hope · faith · trust · anticipation · expectation · composure · equanimity
eventually
At a later time
before long · presently · shortly · anon · forthcoming · impending · imminent · approaching · coming · ahead
waiting
Remaining in expectation
- enduranceSustained effort capacity
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
- forbearancePatient self-control, delayed enforcement
long-suffering · steadfastness · hope · faith · trust · anticipation · expectation · composure · equanimity · resilience
by and byimmediately
Without any pause
right now · at once · instantly · straightaway · right away
by and byformerly
In the past
previously · before · beforehand · in the past · once upon a time
by and bynever
At no point
nevermore · at no time · not ever · under no circumstances · no way
beyond, goodbye, bypass, bygone, byproduct, bylaw, byword, byline, byplay