once

phrases

• all at once

  1. 1

     happening suddenly, usually when you are not expecting it

     All at once a terrific crash of thunder shook the whole house.

     Thesaurus entry for this meaning of once
  2. 2

     at the same time

     There were too many things happening all at once and I couldn’t take it all in.

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• at once

  1. 1

     immediately

     Bake for 35 minutes and then serve at once.

     The women met at a party and became good friends at once.

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  2. 2

     at the same time

     Kolya, a movie from the Czech Republic, is at once extremely funny and sad.

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• do something once too often

  to cause trouble for yourself by repeating dangerous, stupid, or annoying behavior

  He’s insulted me once too often. He’s going to regret this!

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• (every) once in a while

  sometimes, but not very often

  I still see Ken around town once in a while.

  Make sure you take a break every once in a while.

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• for once

  spoken
  used for saying that you would like something to happen on this occasion, even though it does not usually happen, and you think it should happen more often

  You can pay the bill for once.

  It would be nice if, just for once, the two of you could get along with each other.

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• (just) this once

  used for emphasizing that this is the only time that something will happen

  Will you come with me to a concert, just this once?

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• once again/more

  1. 1

     used when something has happened before

     He was forced to publicly apologize once more for his actions.

     The fair was once again a tremendous success.

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  2. 2

     used for saying that a situation becomes as it was before it changed

     I returned to Canada and found once again the freedom I had known as a child.

     We look forward to the day when there will be peace once more in this troubled land.

     Thesaurus entry for this meaning of once

• once every three days/four years etc.

  happening one time every three days/four years etc.

  The Olympics are a big deal because they come around just once every four years.

  “And how often did you receive the phone calls?” “Probably once every two weeks or so.”

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• once and for all

  completely and finally

  The Supreme Court’s ruling should decide this matter once and for all.

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• once or twice

  a few times, but not very often

  Martin’s gone hunting once or twice, but I don’t think he really liked it.

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• once upon a time

  1. 1

     used for starting children’s stories

     Once upon a time, in a faraway land, lived a beautiful princess.

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  2. 2

     spoken used for talking about a situation that existed in the past but no longer exists, especially when it was better than the situation now

     Once upon a time, you could leave your doors unlocked at night and not worry about someone breaking in.

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• once a week/month/year etc.

  happening one time each week/month/year etc.

  The whole family tries to get together at least once a year at my parents’ place.

  How often do you use the Internet? Daily? Once a week?

  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of once