At one fell swoop Meaning in English
expression
ˈæt/ /ˈwən/ /ˈfɛɫ/ /ˈswup
AT WUHN FEL SWOOP
ˈæt/ /wˈɒn/ /fˈɛl/ /swˈuːp
AT WON FEL SWOOP
Definition
If something happens 'at one fell swoop', it happens all at the same time, suddenly and often unexpectedly.
Usage & Nuances
This is a somewhat formal, literary expression, often used to emphasize how much or how quickly something changes. Use in writing or serious speech, rarely in casual conversation. Synonyms: 'all at once', 'in one blow', 'in one go'.
Spanish: de una sola vez - de un solo golpePortuguese (BR): de uma só vez - de um só golpePortuguese (PT): de uma só vez - de um só golpeChinese (Simplified): 一举 - 一下子Chinese (Traditional): 一舉 - 一下子Hindi: एक ही झटके मेंArabic: دفعة واحدة - بضربة واحدةBengali: এক ঝটকায় - একবারেRussian: одним махом - сразуJapanese: 一気に - 一度にVietnamese: một lúc - cùng một lúc - một lèoKorean: 한 번에 - 단번에Turkish: bir çırpıda - tek seferdeUrdu: ایک جھٹکے میں - ایک دمIndonesian: sekali gus - sekaligus
Example Sentences
The company fired ten workers at one fell swoop.
basic
She finished all her exams at one fell swoop.
basic
Our problems disappeared at one fell swoop.
basic
All of my savings were gone at one fell swoop after the accident.
natural
You can’t change old habits at one fell swoop; it takes time.
natural
The city demolished the old buildings at one fell swoop to make room for a new park.
natural