all at once

Idioms  

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

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

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Example Sentences

At the top a door opened into a single room that was obviously cooking, eating, and sleeping quarters all at once.

From Literature

Wolf squirmed and licked Torak’s chin and told him how awful it had been, all at once.

From Literature

OpenAI’s top executives are finalizing plans for a major strategy shift to refocus the company around coding and business users, recognizing that a “do everything all at once” strategy has put them on the defensive.

From The Wall Street Journal

I had been holding them when I’d come out of his office, and all at once I realized what Miss Buckner was thinking.

From Literature

And then all at once I have my chance to escape: From the front of the records room, the gate rattles.

From Literature

Related Words

• again
• formerly
• later
• next
• suddenly