Fell swoop - At one

Definitions

• Do something quickly and all at once
  To describe completing a task or achieving a goal in a short amount of time or with a single action, rather than taking gradual steps or multiple attempts.

• Destroy or eliminate completely
  To emphasize the swift and complete nature of a destruction or elimination, often used in a negative or dramatic context.

Examples of Fell swoop - At one

• The government made a sudden and unexpected decision to close all schools in the city as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of a deadly virus. This decision came as a complete surprise to everyone and was executed in a fell swoop, leaving parents and students equally bewildered and confused.

  The phrase "fell swoop" refers to a sudden and swift action that is executed without warning or prior notice. In this example, the decision to close all schools in the city was executed in a fell swoop, implying that it was carried out quickly and decisively, almost like a military operation. The use of "at one" indicates that everyone was affected simultaneously without any exceptions.

• The new manager completely transformed the company's operations in a fell swoop, introducing new policies, procedures, and systems that were aimed at increasing productivity and profitability. The entire workforce was instantly brought into compliance with these new guidelines, as the manager's authority and charismatic leadership skills were undisputed.

  The phrase "fell swoop" again depicts a sudden and swift action, in this case, the transformation of the company's operations. The use of "at one" highlights the fact that all the employees were simultaneously brought into compliance with the new guidelines, indicating that there was no resistance or opposition.

• The police conducted a massive and coordinated operation to apprehend the notorious criminal gang that had been wreaking havoc in the city for years. The operation was executed in a fell swoop, resulting in the arrest of all the gang members, who were caught off-guard and completely overwhelmed by the rapidity and unexpectedness of the police action.

  The phrase "fell swoop" is used to describe the sudden and swift action taken by the police to apprehend the criminal gang. The use of "at one" here emphasizes that all the members of the gang were arrested simultaneously, without any escape or opportunity to evade the law.

• The mobile app developer created a revolutionary new app that took the market by storm, quickly becoming the most downloaded app in the world. The app was launched in a fell swoop, captivating the attention and imagination of millions of users, who were immediately hooked on its unique features and functionalities.

  The phrase "fell swoop" is used to describe the sudden and swift action taken by the mobile app developer in launching the new app. The use of "at one" here indicates that the app became an instant hit, capturing the attention and imagination of millions of users worldwide in a single fell swoop. The implication is that the app was an immediate sensation, and its users were equally affected by its unique features and functionalities.

• The company announced a surprise layoff of its entire staff in a fell swoop, leaving employees stunned and jobless.

  The phrase "fell swoop" is used to describe a sudden and dramatic action taken all at once. In this example, the company made a drastic decision to lay off all its staff in one go, leaving everyone affected stunned and unemployed. "At one" is added to reinforce the suddenness and completeness of the action. This idiom can be used in various scenarios, such as to describe a sudden decision, a surprise move, or a bold action taken quickly and completely.

Conclusion

The idiom "fell swoop" is used to convey the idea of something happening quickly and all at once, often with a sense of finality. It can be used to describe completing a task efficiently or achieving a goal in a short amount of time, without any delays or interruptions. It can also be used to emphasize the sudden and complete nature of a destruction or elimination, highlighting the swiftness and impact of the action.

Origin of "Fell swoop - At one"

The origin of the idiom "fell swoop" can be traced back to Shakespeare's play Macbeth, where the character Macduff uses the phrase "in one fell swoop" to describe the murder of his family. The word "fell" in this context is believed to come from the Old English word "fel," which means fierce or cruel. The word "swoop" refers to the sudden and swift movement of a bird of prey when catching its prey, and is often used to describe a quick and decisive action.

Over time, the idiom "fell swoop" became a common expression used to describe any action that is done quickly and all at once, without any hesitation or delay. It is often used in literature and everyday language, and has become a popular metaphor for describing efficient and impactful actions.