by turnschanging from one quality, feeling to another
[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲
by turns adv. phr. First one and then another in a regular way; one substituting for or following another according to a repeated plan.
On the drive to Chicago, the three men took the wheel by turns. The teachers were on duty by turns. When John had a fever, he felt cold and hot by turns. Synonym: IN TURN.
Compare: TAKE TURNS.
[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲