BY AND BY. A phrase used four times in the KJV to tr. the three Gr. words ἐξαυτῆς, G1994, (Mark 6:25), εὐθέως, G2311, (Luke 17:7; 21:9), and εὐθύς (Matt 13:21). All three of these words in their particular contexts carry the idea of immediateness or quick action. The RSV and the NASB, as examples of current trs., have usually tr. the words by the phrases “at once,” “immediately,” or “right away.”