The spelling of "all once" is unique as it contains a blend of vowel sounds. In IPA phonetic transcription, it would be written as /ɔːl wʌns/. The first sound is the "aw" diphthong, commonly found in words like "law" or "raw". The second sound is the "uh" sound, as in "up" or "cut". This phonetic combination creates the unique sound of "all once", which is commonly used in phrases like "all at once" to describe a sudden or simultaneous event or action.
The term "all at once" is an idiomatic expression that refers to the action or occurrence of multiple things happening simultaneously or instantly. It denotes a situation where a multitude of actions, events, or circumstances happen in unison or without any discernible temporal or spatial gaps between them.
In this context, "all at once" implies that numerous elements or factors are taking place concurrently, indicating a sudden or immediate manifestation of various incidents. It signifies a state where multiple aspects converge or coincidentally materialize together, without any gradual progression or sequential order.
The phrase can be used in various contexts, such as describing a sudden surge of emotions, the simultaneous execution of multiple tasks or activities, or the eruption of various events happening at the same time. For example, someone can say, "All at once, the lights went out, the thunderstorm started, and the alarm went off, creating an atmosphere of chaos and confusion in the room."
Overall, the term "all at once" emphasizes the concept of simultaneous occurrence, conveying the idea of numerous elements converging or coming into existence concurrently, often resulting in a noticeable or remarkable impact.
The phrase "all at once" or "all once" is believed to have originated from Middle English in the 14th century. The word "all" derives from Old English "eall", meaning "entirely" or "wholly". The term "once" is derived from Old English "ans", meaning "one time" or "one occasion". In combination, "all once" evolved into "at once" or "all at once" in the late Middle English period.