in fits and starts
Not at all smoothly
In fits and starts describes irregular, intermittent progress—bursts of activity followed by periods of inactivity or stalling.
The project moved forward in fits and starts.
She worked on the novel in fits and starts over several years.
The phrase suggests inconsistency rather than steady advancement.
- interruptedBroken mid-course
- intermittentOccurring at irregular intervals
- off and onIntermittent in occurrence
- sporadicOccurring irregularly, infrequently
- now and thenAt infrequent intervals
staggered · erratic · hit or miss · hesitant · discontinuous · episodic · uneven · piecemeal · bit by bit · stuttering · fitful · haphazard · here and there · wavering · spasmodic · broken · patchy · delayed
in fits and startscontinuously
Without pause or interruption
steadily · consistently · uninterruptedly · ceaselessly · constantly
in fits and startssmoothly
Without friction or difficulty
evenly · fluidly · seamlessly · like clockwork · rhythmically
in fits and startscontinuously
Without pause or interruption
steadily · smoothly · uninterruptedly · seamlessly · fluidly
fits, fitted, fitting, fittings, fitter, start, starts, started, starting