all at once

1. Suddenly, unexpectedly, as in All at once the sky darkened . For a synonym, see all of a sudden .

2. All at the same time, as in We can't get inside all at once, so please wait your turn . [Late 1300s]

Example Sentences

Fryberg left behind a dense record all-at-once ordinary and disturbing, that leaves more questions than answers.

From The Daily Beast

Then the flagship hauled home every rope by the silent ‘all-at-once’ action of one hundred men.

From Project Gutenberg

And Joan, somehow or other, was aware of this, for she saw things all-at-once and all-over.

From Project Gutenberg

The story of the nursing situation conveys the "all-at-once" as well as the unfolding.

From Project Gutenberg

For my part, I hardly knew whether to sing or say what I had to reply to these all-at-once attacks upon me!

From Project Gutenberg

That's what she means by saying she's an all-at-once and an all-over person.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• again
• formerly
• later
• next
• suddenly