but then

idiom

1

—used to introduce a statement that adds another and different thought to a preceding statement

I'm surprised to hear that Tom has left the army. But then I suppose he never was the type to obey orders.

—sometimes used to introduce an explanation for something

His cakes are amazing—but then he did study with some of the best pastry chefs in the world.

2

—used to introduce a statement that tells about something different or surprising that happened next

The team won the first two games, but then failed to win any of the next five.

Examples of but then in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Alex played in the NHL for his first season but then required knee surgery, which kept him out the entire next season. —Scott Powers, The Athletic, 22 Feb. 2025

This week, its PR team shared a social media post that showed a dramatic drop in charge times since 2017, but then revised the tweet to show a less significant decline. —Emily Forlini, PCMAG, 21 Feb. 2025

What if a student asks that the precise pages of books and journals on their subject be served up with the most relevant quotes cited and organized, but then writes what's left themselves? —Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 20 Feb. 2025

The very thought feels absurd—but then again, isn’t that the whole point of luxury? —Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 7 Feb. 2025

Rhymes for but then

• again
• airmen
• amen
• bullpen
• culmen
• flagmen
• gunmen
• lawmen
• oilmen
• playpen
• schoolmen
• tegmen