at once
Idioms-
At the same time, as in We can't all fit into the boat at once . [First half of 1200s] Also see at one time , def. 1.
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Immediately, as in Mother told the children to come inside at once . [First half of 1500s]
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.
Everything he’d been pointing towards in the distance was now here, culminating all at once.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 27, 2026
The image is at once hokey and compelling, suggesting in unwieldy terms that the monster Hansen has been chasing is like a Hydra: cut off its head, and it’ll regenerate with two more.
From Salon ● Sep. 26, 2026
McDonald’s last month said too many promotions at once — along with changes to its McValue discount platform — led to complications for restaurant workers and questions from customers.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 23, 2026
"They target major companies across tech, finance, and retail, often stealing millions of customer records at once," the advisory said.
From BBC ● Sep. 23, 2026
Mutti shouted at Karli to get up and come to her at once.
From "An Elephant in the Garden" by Michael Morpurgo
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.
