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English Phrase of the Day

one fell swoop



Definitions

English > English
one fell swoop
     1. n. One stroke; one action or event with many results.
           Changing the oil lubricates the engine and removes debris in one fell swoop.
Analysis
one
     1. num. (cardinal) The number represented by the Arabic numeral 1; the numerical value equal to that cardinal number.
           In some religions, there is only one god.
           In many cultures, a baby turns one year old a year after its birth.
           One person, one vote.
     2. num. (number theory) The first positive number in the set of natural numbers.
fell
     1. v. To make something fall; especially to chop down a tree.
     2. v. To strike down, kill, destroy.
     3. v. (sewing) To stitch down a protruding flap of fabric, as a seam allowance, or pleat.
     4. n. A cutting-down of timber.
     5. n. The stitching down of a fold of cloth; specifically, the portion of a kilt, from the waist to the seat, where the pleats are stitched down.
     fall
          1. n. The act of moving to a lower position under the effect of gravity.
          2. n. A reduction in quantity, pitch, etc.
          3. n. (chiefly North America, obsolete elsewhere) The time of the year when the leaves typically fall from the trees; autumn; the season of the year between the autumnal equinox and the winter solstice.
          4. n. A loss of greatness or status.
                the fall of Rome
swoop
     1. v. (intransitive) To fly or glide downwards suddenly; to plunge (in the air) or nosedive.
           The lone eagle swooped down into the lake, snatching its prey, a small fish.
     2. v. (intransitive) To move swiftly, as if with a sweeping movement, especially to attack something.
           The dog had enthusiastically swooped down on the bone.
     3. v. To fall on at once and seize; to catch while on the wing.

Example Sentences

In one fell swoop we could go from being a little division of a small company to being the dominant player in the business. 



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