The phrase "then and there" is commonly used to mean "immediately and on the spot." It can be spelled according to normal English phonetics, but the tricky part is pronouncing it correctly. In IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet), it would be transcribed as /ðɛn ənd ðɛr/. The "th" sound at the beginning of both words can be difficult for non-native English speakers to pronounce, but it is essential to get it right in order to be understood.
Then and there is an idiomatic expression that refers to a particular moment in time and a specific location. It is used to describe a situation or event that takes place immediately or promptly at a given time and place. The phrase combines the adverbs "then" and "there" to emphasize the immediacy and certainty of the action being described.
"Then" refers to a specific point in time, often indicating a sequence or consequence of events. It denotes the particular moment being referred to in relation to the context of the speaker or the story being told. "There" refers to a specific location or place, separate from the speaker's current position. It signifies the exact site where the action or event is happening.
When used together, "then and there" stresses that something occurred or was decided promptly and definitively at a specific time and place. It suggests that no delay or further discussion took place, highlighting the immediate action or resolution of a matter. The phrase is commonly used to convey a sense of strong determination, assertiveness, or importance for an event or decision that happened instantly and decisively.
For example, "When she caught him cheating, she broke up with him then and there." In this sentence, "then and there" indicates that the woman immediately ended the relationship as soon as she discovered her partner's infidelity.