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for once. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
for once, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
for once in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
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English
Pronunciation
Prepositional phrase
for once
- (idiomatic) For the first time, after many instances to the contrary; in a rare exception to the rule; as an exception to the usual.
1865, Charles Dickens, Our Mutual Friend:Sell her her waste, please, and give her good measure if you can make up your mind to do the liberal thing for once.
1882 April 27, “The Funeral Of Mr. Darwin”, in The Times:In France, in Germany, in Austro-Hungary, in Italy, in the United States, writers of all shades of opinion, for once unanimous, have paid a willing tribute to the worth of our great countryman, ignored in life by the official representatives of the kingdom, but laid in death among his peers in Westminster Abbey by the will of the intelligence of the nation.
1915, Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of the Island:For once in her life she was surprised out of her reserve; she caught her girl in her arms and crushed her and her flowers against her heart, kissing the bright hair and sweet face warmly.
2009 November 9, Jillian Law, Liberal Candidate for Franklin, “Now Rudd's on the nose for once”, in The Age:
Synonyms
Translations
in a rare exception to the rule