# all at once

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/all-at-once
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Unexpectedly; without warning; all of a sudden.

## Examples

- The lights went out all at once.
- The rain started falling all at once, so we ran inside to stay dry.
- The silence of the library was broken all at once when the heavy wooden door slammed shut.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.