1
do sth piecemeal
piecemeal 作副词，表示“一件一件地，零散地”，通常放在动词（及其宾语）之后。
They decided to do the work piecemeal.
他们决定零敲碎打地做这项工作。
一件一件地；逐个地；零碎地
先理解核心含义，再看它在真实句子里的用法。
一件一件地；逐个地；零碎地
one thing at a time
They decided to do the work piecemeal.
他们决定零敲碎打地做这项工作。
Piece by piece; in small amounts, stages, or degrees.
Into pieces or parts.
一点一点地
a little bit at a time
The researchers are releasing the data piecemeal to avoid overwhelming the public.
研究人员正在零散地发布数据，以免让公众感到不知所措。
AI contextual example
She paid off the loan piecemeal over five years.
她花了五年时间零零碎碎地还清了贷款。
AI contextual example
The old building was demolished piecemeal, brick by brick.
这座旧楼被一块砖一块砖地零碎拆除。
AI contextual example
the research structure has developed piecemeal
研究结构是零敲碎打地发展起来的。
WordNet
piecemeal 作副词，表示“一件一件地，零散地”，通常放在动词（及其宾语）之后。
They decided to do the work piecemeal.
他们决定零敲碎打地做这项工作。
piecemeal 也可作形容词，表示“零碎的、逐渐的”，常用在 be 动词后作表语。
The reforms were piecemeal, not comprehensive.
这些改革是零碎的，而不是全面的。
Not this
I ate a piecemeal of cake.
Use this
I ate a piece of cake.
piecemeal 意为“一件一件地、零碎地”，不能像 piece 一样表示“一块”；表示“一块蛋糕”要用 a piece of cake。
Not this
The problems were solved in piecemeal.
Use this
The problems were solved piecemeal.
piecemeal 本身已是副词，直接修饰动词，不需要加介词 in；in piecemeal 不符合英语搭配。
Focus on the distinctions below. Other candidates are kept compact until a reliable usage note is available.
零敲碎打的做法；零散的方式
The committee rejected the piecemeal approach in favor of a comprehensive plan.
委员会否定了零敲碎打的做法，而倾向于一个全面计划。
零碎的方式；逐步的方式
The reforms were introduced in a piecemeal manner.
这些改革是以零敲碎打的方式推行的。
以零散的方式；逐个地
The old laws were repealed on a piecemeal basis.
旧法律被零散地废止。
零碎的改动；零敲碎打的改变
Piecemeal changes to the rules only confused everyone.
对规则的零碎改动只会让大家困惑。
零散实施；逐步实施
The piecemeal implementation of the policy caused inconsistencies.
该政策的零散实施导致了不一致。
零敲碎打的做法；逐项处理的方式
The government has been criticized for its piecemeal approach to healthcare reform.
政府因对医疗改革采取零敲碎打的做法而受到批评。
以零敲碎打的方式
We cannot solve this problem in piecemeal fashion; we need a comprehensive plan.
我们不能以零敲碎打的方式解决这个问题；我们需要一个全面的计划。
按零散的方式；逐步地
The company upgraded its systems on a piecemeal basis, which caused compatibility issues.
公司零零散散地升级系统，导致兼容性问题。
发长 /iː/ 音 (如 sea, tea)
Same pattern, same sound
Use piecemeal naturally, then get feedback on meaning, tone, grammar, and phrasing.
Revisit a common error or keep this word in your review list.
联想：piece（一片）＋meal（一餐）。把任务像吃饭一样一片一片（piece）吃完，就是零碎地、一件一件地进行。
语域：mixed 常见场景：学术写作、政策讨论、日常说明 piecemeal 作为副词时，多用于较正式或半正式的语境，如学术、政策或评论性文本，表示“一件一件地、零碎地”；在日常口语中也会出现，但不如 step by step 或 in stages 常用。实际使用随语境变化，正式书面语更常见。
piecemeal 末尾的 -meal 读作 /miːl/，因此 meal、oatmeal、peel 与它押韵（/iːl/ 音）。peace 和 piece 与开头的 piece 同音，但结尾是 /s/ 而非 /l/。field 拼写中的 ie 看似接近，但读 /fiːld/，并不押韵。
Dictionary facts from ECDICT, WIKTIONARY.
Watch the sound change