PhrasesHub

One fell swoop - At

    Definitions

      • complete something in a single action
        To describe completing a task or action all at once, without breaking it into smaller parts

      • all at once
        To describe something happening or being done in a single instant, without any delay or interruption

    Examples of One fell swoop - At

    • The bank manager confidently took care of all the customer's complaints in one fell swoop at the customer service department.

      The phrase "one fell swoop" means to accomplish something quickly and efficiently in a single action. In this example, the bank manager addressed all the customer's complaints at once, which saved time for both the customer and the bank. "At the customer service department" in this example refers to the location where the customer's complaints were being handled.

    • The city government cleaned up the entire downtown area in one fell swoop by removing all abandoned cars and graffiti from the buildings.

      In this example, "one fell swoop" is used to explain how the city government resolved a larger issue (in this case, improving the downtown area) by completing multiple smaller tasks (removing abandoned cars and graffiti) at once.

    • During the sale, the store manager was able to clear out all the outdated inventory in one fell swoop by offering huge discounts to the customers.

      In this example, "one fell swoop" signifies how the store manager quickly and efficiently resolved a problem (reducing the inventory) by taking a single action (offering discounts to the customers).

    • In order to prepare for the audit, the company was able to compile all the required financial documents in one fell swoop by assigning a team to gather them.

      Here, "one fell swoop" represents how the company efficiently and quickly resolved the issue of collecting the necessary documents by enlisting a team to gather them together.In each example, "one fell swoop" is used in a different context, but the meaning remains the same - to accomplish a task quickly and efficiently in a single action.

    • The CEO announced that they would be downsizing the entire department in one fell swoop.

      This idiom, "One fell swoop," refers to a sudden and dramatic action that takes care of a problem in one complete motion. The CEO's decision to lay off the entire department in one go is an example of this idiom.

    • The government passed a series of laws aimed at tackling corruption in one fell swoop.

      Here, "one fell swoop" is used to indicate that the government passed several laws simultaneously, which meant that corruption was addressed comprehensively and immediately.

    • The thief stole all the money from the safe in one fell swoop.

      The thief's plan was to take everything at once in a single, dramatic action, which is what "one fell swoop" signifies.

    • The painter completed the entire mural in one fell swoop.

      Here, "one fell swoop" is used to express that the painter finished the whole project quickly and efficiently, without stopping for breaks or pauses.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "one fell swoop" is used to convey the idea of completing something in a single action or all at once. It can be used to describe finishing a task without breaking it into smaller parts, or to emphasize that something happens instantly and without delay.

    It is often used to highlight efficiency or the quickness of an action, and can be employed in various contexts, from everyday conversations to formal writing. The idiom can also convey a sense of suddenness or abruptness, depending on the specific situation it is used in.

    Origin of "One fell swoop - At"

    The origin of the idiom "one fell swoop" can be traced back to William Shakespeare's play Macbeth, where the character Macduff uses the phrase to describe the suddenness and completeness of an action. The word "fell" in this context is believed to come from the Old English word "fel," meaning cruel or fierce. The term "swoop" refers to a bird of prey's sudden and swift descent to capture its prey.

    Over time, the phrase "one fell swoop" has evolved to convey the idea of completing something in a single, swift action. It has become a common idiom in the English language, used to emphasize the quick and complete nature of a task or event. Examples of its usage can be found in literature, speeches, and everyday conversations, where it continues to convey the sense of immediacy and efficiency that it has come to represent.