English Reference
Idiom idiom

once or twice


A small, indefinite number of times.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

I've been there once or twice.

CONTEXTUAL

She mentioned his name once or twice, but I didn't think much of it.

COMPLEX

In his long career, the reclusive author had granted interviews only once or twice, preferring to let his novels speak for themselves.


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    all at once

    Unexpectedly; without warning; all of a sudden.

  2. 02

    for this once

    On this particular occasion, to make an exception

  3. 03

    once again

    Again, once more, one more time.

  4. 04

    once and for all

    Conclusively, finally, permanently.

  5. 05

    once in a blue moon

    Very rarely; very infrequently.

  6. 06

    once in a while

    Occasionally; sometimes.

  7. 07

    think twice

    To reconsider, use judgement; to proceed with caution or thought.

  8. 08

    what happens twice happens thrice

    An event that happens two times will happen three times.

Last updated August 10, 2026