all at once

Thân thiện

The lights went out all at once.

Definition

Adverb 1. Suddenly; without warning: Refers to an event or action that happens abruptly and unexpectedly. 2. Simultaneously; all together: Refers to multiple things happening or being done at the exact same time.

Usage Examples

• Suddenly: The sky was clear, and then all at once, it began to pour with rain.She was quiet for a long time, and then all at once, she began to tell her story.

• Simultaneously: The audience rose all at once to give a standing ovation.Please don't answer all at once; raise your hand if you know.

Advanced Usage

• The phrase can sometimes create ambiguity, as its meaning is determined entirely by context. The listener must understand whether it describes a sudden single event or the synchronized action of multiple elements. (This could mean the lights all went out simultaneously, or that the power failed suddenly.)

Variants and Related Words

• All of a sudden: An idiomatic synonym for the "suddenly" meaning.
• At once: Can mean "immediately" or "simultaneously," but is less commonly used for the "suddenly" meaning than "all at once." (Simultaneously) (Immediately)

Synonyms

• Suddenly: Happening quickly and unexpectedly.
• Simultaneously: Happening or done at the same time.
• Abruptly: In a sudden and unexpected way.

Related Idioms

• Out of the blue: Happening completely unexpectedly (similar to the "suddenly" meaning).
• In unison: Acting or speaking at the same time (similar to the "simultaneously" meaning).

Học thuật

Adverb

1. without warning
   • all at once, he started shouting
2. all at the same time
   • Let's say `Yes!' all at once

Từ đồng nghĩa

• all of a sudden
• all together