all at once
Idioms-
All at the same time, as in We can't get inside all at once, so please wait your turn . [Late 1300s]
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Suddenly, unexpectedly, as in All at once the sky darkened . For a synonym, see all of a sudden .
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Taking a 6.6% 30-year mortgage would be the better choice than withdrawing $500,000 from a traditional IRA all at once.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 20, 2026
Smoky, savory and bright all at once, it’s especially good eaten straight from the fridge while standing in front of the open door, deciding whether you’re actually hungry enough for a second bowl.
From Salon ● Jul. 8, 2026
In the two centuries since its ratification, it has been amended only 27 times—and 10 of those arrived all at once in the Bill of Rights.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 1, 2026
If the short sellers rush to buy shares all at once, there may not be enough sellers.
From Barron's ● Jun. 25, 2026
The place hadn’t fallen apart all at once.
From "The Smartest Kid in the Universe" by Chris Grabenstein
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
