once
Used to say something happened only one time before now.
Used to indicate that something happened on one occasion at some time in the past.
Used to talk about any time before now, especially in negative sentences.
Used to mean 'at any time in the past', often in negative or conditional statements.
Used to say something will happen right after another thing happens.
Used to mean 'as soon as' or 'from the moment that' something happens.
Used to say something was true before but is not true now.
Used to refer to a situation that was true in the past but is no longer true.
- Base: once
once and for all
1finally and completely ending something
To do something one final time so it is finished forever.
- Let’s settle this once and for all.
- He quit smoking once and for all.
once and for all
2Finally and completely ending something
To do something so it will never need to be done again.
- Let's settle this argument once and for all.
- He fixed the problem once and for all by replacing the whole system.
once in a while
1Occasionally, not often
Sometimes, but not often.
- We go out for dinner once in a while.
- I like to read a novel once in a while.
- Once in a while, I like to take a long walk alone.
- We meet for coffee once in a while to catch up.
once upon a time
1Traditional story beginning phrase
A phrase used at the start of old stories to mean 'a long time ago'.
- Once upon a time, there was a small village by the sea.
- Once upon a time, there was a little princess who loved to sing.
- Once upon a time, a brave knight lived in a faraway land.
- Once upon a time, people traveled by horse and carriage.
once bitten, twice shy
1Cautious after bad experience
After something bad happens, you are careful not to let it happen again.
- I won't lend him money again—once bitten, twice shy.
- I don’t lend money anymore—once bitten, twice shy.
- She avoids online shopping now; once bitten, twice shy.
- She avoided dating for years; once bitten, twice shy.
once bitten, twice shy
2Cautious after bad experience
After something bad happens once, you are more careful next time.
- I won't lend him money again—once bitten, twice shy.
- She was hurt in her last relationship and is now once bitten, twice shy.