once in a lifetime

Idioms  

1. Extremely rare, especially as an opportunity. For example, An offer like that will come just once in a lifetime. This phrase, often used hyperbolically, was first recorded in 1854. Also see of one's life.

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Example Sentences

“People in my age bracket have had seven to nine ‘once in a lifetime’ events happen since we were in high school, so there is always a sense of things potentially shifting,” Cook said.

From MarketWatch

The couple had been on a "once in a lifetime" motorbike journey from Europe to Australia and had only intended to be in Iran for a few days.

From BBC

"I am so grateful on behalf of all of the families I serve for the gift of allowing children from his old school to be part of an event that for some will be a once in a lifetime experience."

From BBC

Paying tribute to Knight, Murphy added: "To have that level of writing for that length of time, you know, it's a once in a lifetime freak occurrence to meet a writer at the top of his game like that."

From BBC

Jack had told her that sometimes, once in a lifetime or so, a coconut could make a pearl just the same way an oyster did, but Nim had never thought she’d see one.

From Literature

Related Words

• unbelievable