single-handedly

American  

[sing-guhl-han-did-lee] / ˈsɪŋ gəlˈhæn dɪd li /

adverb

1. in a single-handed manner; single-handed.

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Usage

What does single-handedly mean? Single-handedly means done or accomplished alone—without help from anyone, as in Carol completed the project single-handedly—she did every last thing herself. Single-handedly is the adverb form of the adjective single-handed, which is used to describe something done by one person, as with a single-handed attempt. Single-handed can also be used as an adverb, as in Abdul sailed the boat single-handed. Single-handedly is also used in situations in which someone has done something without help from anyone else even though they were available, as in She single-handedly beat the other team—scoring the final 15 points of the game by herself. Example: Lori single-handedly solved the math equation that had stumped mathematicians for years.

Etymology

Origin of single-handedly

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

Some doctors prescribe medications to their patients at alarming rates, at times single-handedly ordering eight or more drugs for a single patient.

From The Wall Street Journal

Whereas Archer often carried the visitors' attack single-handedly, Australia always had another bowler ready to examine English technique, defence and spirit.

From BBC

Reiner almost single-handedly conceived and led the successful 1998 campaign for California’s Proposition 10, a tobacco tax to raise funds for early childhood health and education.

From Los Angeles Times

"With Palmer out, Caicedo has even become an important goalscorer and creator, as we saw on Saturday where he effectively won the game for the Blues single-handedly."

From BBC

However, he says that tech isn’t single-handedly carrying the load: Seven of the S&P 500’s 11 sectors are more profitable than normal.

From Barron's

Related Words

• courageously