once */*/*/

UK [wʌns] / US adverb, conjunction, noun

Summary:

Once can be used in the following ways: - as an adverb: I only met him once. ♦ They've been here once before. - as a conjunction: Once you get there, you'll love it. - as a noun (after "for" or "at"): For once I wish you'd tell me the truth. (after "the", "this", or "that"): Yes, I met him, but just the once.

1) on one occasion only

Cathy's only been to visit us once.

I'd seen the show once before, but I enjoyed seeing it again.

I'm only going to say this once, so listen carefully.

(just) the once (= on one particular occasion only):

We met just the once, but I still remember him very clearly.

2)

a) used for saying that a particular situation existed at a time in the past, but it does not exist any longer

Did you know that Dan was once a policeman?

Louise bought the house where her grandparents had once lived.

The once mighty US car industry was now facing strong competition from abroad.

b) used for saying that something happened at some time in the past

Once we drove all the way to Edinburgh with four little kids in the back seat.

I once taught myself to knit, and I was pretty good at it.

3) used for saying that as soon as one thing happens, something else happens

Once we were through the gates, she went off and left me on my own.

I'm sure you'll be very happy here once you get to know everyone.

•

(every) once in a while — sometimes, but not very often

I still see Ken once in a while.

Make sure you take a break every once in a while.

(just) for once — spoken used for saying that you would like something to happen on this occasion, even though it does not usually happen, and you think it should happen more often

You can pay the bill for once.

It would be nice if, just for once, the two of you could get on with each other.

(just) this once — used for emphasizing that this is the only time that something will happen

Won't you come with me to a concert – just this once?

once again/more — used when something has happened before; used for saying that a situation becomes as it was before it changed

He was forced to publicly apologize once more for his actions.

The fair was once again a tremendous success.

I returned to Canada and found once again the freedom I had known as a child.

We look forward to the day when there will be peace once more in this troubled land.

once every three days/four years etc — happening one time every three days/four years etc

We have a General Election once every four or five years.

"And how often did you receive the phone calls?" "Probably once every two weeks or so."

once a week/month/year etc — happening one time each week/month/year etc

The amateur golfers from Europe only get together once or twice a year.

How often do you use the Internet? Daily? Once a week?

- all at once

- at once

- do something once too often

- once and for all

- once or twice

- once upon a time

See:

bite I, blue I