между дел

• МЕЖДУ ДЕЛОМ (ДЕЛ obj)

[PrepP; these forms only; adv]

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⇒ in one's free moments, during intervals between other engagements:

- in between other things (one's other activities);

- betweentimes (betweenwhiles);

- [in limited contexts] when one has (can spare) a minute (a moment);

- when one can snatch a free moment;

- when one has a spare moment (a moment to spare);

- on the side.

     ♦ ...Каждое посещение театра [Юра] считал праздником. Поэтому никогда не понимал Сашу Панкратова, Нину, забегавших в театр между делом... (Рыбаков 2). For him [Yuri], going to the theater was like taking a holiday. He could never understand Sasha Pankratov or Nina, who would go to the theater in between their other activities... (2a).