in small stages
- idiom
:
en pequeñas etapas
- She learned the language in small stages, practicing a little each day.
Examples
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If we tackle this task in small stages, it won't feel so overwhelming.
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The project progressed in small stages rather than with major leaps.
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You should learn to play the piano in small stages.
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Can we complete this in small stages?
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If we tackle this task in small stages, it won't feel so overwhelming.
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She learned the language in small stages, practicing a little each day.
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The project progressed in small stages rather than with major leaps.
Synonyms
34
2.3
Gradually in small amounts over time
32
2.8
To do a task slowly, handling each part before the next
23
2.8
Done in separate parts, each finished before the next
23
1.8
In a gradual way, doing each part one after another
17
7.0
Happening in small parts over time instead of all at once
12
2.7
A little at a time
7
3.6
To keep moving forward step by step despite problems
5
3.5
You do things gradually, finishing one part before the next
2
6.0
Happens in small steps rather than all at once
Happens slowly, a little at a time
Antonyms
How Gradual
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'by proceeding gradually' is directly derivable from the constituents: 'in' marks manner, 'small' limits size/amount, and 'stages' means phases or steps, so 'in small stages' = in small steps. This is a regular compositional pattern found in many languages and follows standard English adjective + noun phrasing, so a B1 learner who knows the words will readily infer the MWE meaning.
Etymology
The phrase in small stages gives a clear picture: think of moving forward in small stages, where each stage is a single step on a staircase. That's why it means 'gradually' or 'doing a little at a time'.