bywhentheygotthere
adverb phraseUK /baɪ wɛn ðeɪ ɡɒt ðɛə/
US /baɪ wɛn ðeɪ ɡɑt ðɛr/
By the time they arrived at a place.
Bywhentheygotthere, the movie had already started.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. Used to show that something was already finished before they reached the place.
Bywhentheygotthere, the cake was all gone.
3. Used to describe a change that happened during their trip.
Bywhentheygotthere, the rain had stopped.
4. Used to compare a planned time with the actual time they arrived.
Bywhentheygotthere, it was much later than expected.