From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishbut then (again)but then (again)spoken a) BUTused when you are adding a statement that says almost the opposite of what you have just said John might be ready to help us, but then again, he might not. You feel really sorry for him. But then again, it’s hard to like him. b) BUTused when you are adding a statement that makes what you have just said seem less surprising Dinah missed the last rehearsal, but then she always was unreliable, wasn’t she? → but
Examples from the Corpus
but then (again)• I don't think she liked my present, but then again it could just be my imagination.• You feel really sorry for him, but then again it's hard to like him.• The Library of Congress Classification Scheme is very evidently enumerative, but then all the major classification schemes are.• The Kite A brother and sister argue but then Ben loses his kite and Sally rescues it.• He couldn't help feeling sorry for the chap, but then he also felt sorry for Liza.• He doesn't have a strong French accent, but then he's lived here for twenty years.• He began it, but then he stopped because he decided that it wasn't an interesting enough story.• Innes McInnes was taller than I'd expected, but then how tall should a millionaire be?• Death still seemed impossible but then I suppose it always does.• She told me, but then quickly looked away.• Powell achieved a similar feat, but then resigned.but then (again)but then (again)BUTused to say that although something is true, something else is also true which makes the first thing seem less important William didn’t succeed first time, but then very few people do. Elaine’s father might lend them the money, but then again he might not. → thenExamples from the Corpus
but then (again)• The Library of Congress Classification Scheme is very evidently enumerative, but then all the major classification schemes are.• The Kite A brother and sister argue but then Ben loses his kite and Sally rescues it.• He couldn't help feeling sorry for the chap, but then he also felt sorry for Liza.• He began it, but then he stopped because he decided that it wasn't an interesting enough story.• Innes McInnes was taller than I'd expected, but then how tall should a millionaire be?• Death still seemed impossible but then I suppose it always does.• She told me, but then quickly looked away.• Powell achieved a similar feat, but then resigned. 