once in a lifetime

/wˈɒns ɪn ɐ lˈaɪftaɪm/

/wˈʌns ɪn ɐ lˈaɪftaɪm/

[phrase]

once in a lifetime

[PHRASE]

used for referring to a very special opportunity that most likely will not be offered more than once to someone

once in a lifetime definition and meaning

What is the origin of the idiom "once in a lifetime" and when to use it?

The idiom "once in a lifetime" is believed to have emerged in the English language as a figurative expression to describe a unique or extraordinary event that is unlikely to happen again in a person's lifetime. It is often used when describing travel experiences to extraordinary destinations, witnessing natural phenomena like eclipses or meteor showers, participating in significant cultural or sporting events, or encountering rare opportunities in one's personal or professional life.

once-in-a-lifetime

/wˈɒnsɪnɐlˈaɪftaɪm/

/wˈʌnsɪnɐlˈaɪftaɪm/

[adjective]

once-in-a-lifetime

[ADJECTIVE]

extremely rare or unique and is not likely to be repeated or experienced again in one's lifetime

Examples

1. Being part of the Commonwealth Games has been a once in a lifetime experience.

2. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

3. Living through our second once in a lifetime recession has made big financial decisions like providing for and creating a brand new human, like my niece here Sydney, quite difficult.

4. I think we're going to struggle to accommodate this once in a lifetime phenomenon that can't be fully understood or forecast.

Nearby words