dribs and drabs /ˌdrɪbz ən ˈdræbz/
noun[
Date: 1800-1900;
Origin: Drib probably from drib 'to fall in small drops'; ⇒ dribble1. Drabs probably from dribs]
in dribs and drabs in small irregular amounts or numbers over a period of time:
The guests arrived in dribs and drabs. [TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲