All at once Meaning in English
expression
ˈɔɫ/ /ˈæt/ /ˈwəns
AWL-at-WUNS
ˈɔːl/ /ˈæt/ /wˈɒns
AWL-at-WONS
Definition
Used to describe something happening suddenly, or several things happening at the same time.
Usage & Nuances
Mainly informal. Often emphasizes surprise or a change. Can mean either 'suddenly' or 'at the same moment'. Don't confuse with 'at once' (which usually means 'immediately' or 'simultaneously'). Common in storytelling or casual speech.
Spanish: de repente - todo de una vezPortuguese (BR): de repente - tudo de uma vezPortuguese (PT): de repente - tudo de uma vezChinese (Simplified): 突然 - 一下子Chinese (Traditional): 突然 - 一下子Hindi: एक साथ - अचानकArabic: فجأة - دفعة واحدةBengali: একসাথে - হঠাৎ করেRussian: вдруг - одновременноJapanese: 一度に - 急にVietnamese: đột ngột - cùng lúcKorean: 한꺼번에 - 갑자기Turkish: birdenbire - aynı andaUrdu: ایک ساتھ ہی - اچانکIndonesian: sekaligus - tiba-tiba
Example Sentences
The lights turned off all at once.
basic
She started crying all at once.
basic
We finished our homework all at once.
basic
It started to rain all at once, and everyone ran for cover.
natural
Everything seemed normal, then all at once chaos broke out.
natural
If you try to do too many things all at once, you'll get stressed.
natural