all at once
43
2.1
- idiom
:
a la vez
- "I'd better go," Caidy said, then, all at once, she began to laugh.
I get all of that all at once type of feeling.
- I get all of that all at once type of feeling.
- And to declare war on everyone all at once is just OK.
- Just to make it fair, we have to run it all at once.
- I was fearless and terrified all at once.
- I am like a lot of meds all at once.
Examples
-
Sometimes all at once, sometimes drop by drop.
-
For example, they will all start whistling or making noise with their feet all at once.
Academic text (2015) -
Now, everyone, all at once open your eyes.
-
'Cause it's better to do it all at once.
-
The first time I was introduced to them all at once, it was crazy.
Fiction book (1990) -
Three youngsters are an awful lot to take on all at once.
-
Implementation does not happen all at once but in stages marked by specific activities.
Academic text (2015) -
Don't spend it all at once.
-
Don't expect to get the money you need all at once from a single source.
Academic text (1998) -
Now, everyone, all at once, open your eyes to see the surprise party.
Synonyms
∞
1.0
During the same time or moment
768
1.0
Together in a single group
511
1.0
At the same time as someone or something else
287
1.8
At the same time
209
4.2
At the same time
100
1.0
With everyone at the same time
32
2.5
Happening at the same time
1
4.7
All done at the same time with one action
Antonyms
How Simultaneous
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'suddenly/at one time' is directly derivable from combining 'all' (the whole/entirety) with 'once' (at one time), with 'at' marking the temporal relation — essentially 'all at one time'. This is a regular compositional temporal pattern in English and appears in many languages, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words should be able to infer the MWE meaning.
Etymology
All at once brings to mind many things happening in the same moment, like a crowd clapping together. The words all and at once show why it means 'at the same time'.