once and for all

Idioms  

1. As a settled matter, finally, permanently, as in Once and for all, we're not hiring that organist again, or We've settled that question once and for all. This expression is in effect an abbreviation for “one time and for all time.” [Late 1400s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

once and for all

This series endeavors to settle that mystery once and for all.

From Salon ● Sep. 4, 2026

In McCollum’s case, she’s now taking this fight to a higher authority that could stop all of this once and for all, if it wants to: the Maryland Legislature.

From Slate ● Aug. 6, 2026

In February, it launched an ambitious fundraiser to prevent the development once and for all.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026

Caroll's attorney, Roberta Kaplan, said in a statement that the Supreme Court's decision "affirms once and for all the jury's unanimous verdict that President Donald J Trump sexually assaulted and defamed E Jean Carroll".

From BBC ● Jun. 29, 2026

Waiting on that bench, she had promised herself that the priest’s answer would decide it, once and for all.

From "In the Time of the Butterflies" by Julia Alvarez