poquito a poquito

little by little

poquito a poquito(poh-kee-toh ah poh-kee-toh)

phrase

1. (step by step)

a. little by little

Poquito a poquito, los niños se han ido adaptando a la nueva escuela.

Little by little, the children have adapted to their new school.

b. gradually

Después de la operación, fui mejorando poquito a poquito y ahora me encuentro bastante bien.

After the operation, I gradually got better and now I'm feeling quite well.

c. bit by bit

Compramos el terreno y, poquito a poquito, nos construimos la casa nosotros mismos.

We bought the land, and bit by bit, we built the house ourselves.

2. (not so fast)

a. steady on

A ver, poquito a poquito, vuelve a explicármelo más despacio porque no me enteré de nada.

Now, steady on, explain it again more slowly because I didn't understand a thing.

b. slow down

¡Ey, poquito a poquito! ¿Me estás llamando mentiroso?

Hey, slow down! Are you calling me a liar?

c. easy does it

No manejes tan deprisa, poquito a poquito, que llegamos igual.

Don't drive so fast. Easy does it. We'll get there all the same.