ENGLISH
REFERENCE

at once

idiom
Meaning

to do something immediately or at the same time as something else.


Origin

disputed origin

From Middle English at ones, equivalent to at + once.

Examples
SIMPLE

Please finish your homework at once.

CONTEXTUAL

The fire alarm rang, so everyone left the building at once.

COMPLEX

The king demanded that his advisors address the crisis at once, as the kingdom could not afford any further delay.

Last updated April 22, 2026