Fond of an idly, every once in a while? (2,3,3)
I believe the answer is:
on and off
'spanfond of an spaniidlyispan every once' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.
'a while?span' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'a' could be 'an' and 'an' is found in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
'in' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for on and off that I've seen before include "Occasionally" , "Perhaps switch positions" , "Switch choices" , "Now and then, starting and stopping" , "the two sides at Old Trafford?" .)