de a poquitos

1.
Latin Americageneral Spanishinformalcolloquial
- Very gradually; in very small amounts; bit by bit with emphasis on the smallness of each increment.
- Doing or consuming something only in tiny portions or small, repeated doses.

Examples:

ES: Creíste que eras tan genial, escondiendo tus dulces de Noche de Brujas, comiendo sólo de a poquitos para que te duraran más que los míos.
EN: You thought you were so cool, hiding your Halloween candy, eating just a little bit so it would last longer than mine.
ES: Él comía así... de a poquitos, ¿sabe? Siempre poquito.
EN: He ate like a bird, but with many courses.
ES: Pero luego lo lubricas, le das con los dedos amoldándolo de a poquitos y muy pronto estarás pichando y atrapando.
EN: But then you oil it up, work your fingers around in there a little, and pretty soon you're pitching and catching.
ES: Esa hembra ya se está muriendo de a poquitos.
EN: She's dying slowly.