🌪 One Fell Swoop: Instantaneous Acts and Immediate Consequences ⚡️
Ah, “one fell swoop” — the expression used to describe an action carried out or occurring swiftly and suddenly. Often evoking imagery of a mighty eagle descending on its prey, this phrase is powerful, dramatic, and quite poetic.
Definition
- One fell swoop: An action or event carried out swiftly, usually with significant impact or effect.
Synonyms
- All at once
- In one go
- In one fell stroke
- In one go
- All in one shot
Antonyms
- Gradually
- Piece by piece
- Slowly but surely
Related Expressions
- Bite the bullet
- Dive in headfirst
- Rip off the band-aid
Usage in a Sentence
- With one fell swoop, the CEO announced job cuts affecting all departments.
Humorous Quote
“Cleaning my room in one fell swoop? More like creating a new dimension just for my socks.” — Anonymous
Proverb
“He who hesitates is lost.” — Implying that sometimes, you just need to act quickly.
References
- Literature: Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” is credited with popularizing this phrase. When Macduff learns of the murder of his wife and children, he exclaims, “What, all my pretty chickens and their dam / At one fell swoop?”
- Movies: In “The Matrix,” certain actions change the course of events quite drastically, depicting the essence of “one fell swoop.”
Suggested Reading
- “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare
- “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen R. Covey
- “Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking” by Malcolm Gladwell
Song Recommendations
- “Fast Car” by Tracy Chapman
- “One Moment in Time” by Whitney Houston
- “All at Once” by Whitney Houston
Poetry
- “The Eagle” by Alfred Lord Tennyson embodies the swiftness and majesty suggested by “one fell swoop”.
### Which of these means something done swiftly?
- [x] One fell swoop
- [ ] One slow swoop
- [ ] Gradual build-up
- [ ] Prolonged process
> **Explanation:** "One fell swoop" indicates that something happened quickly or all at once, whereas the others describe lengthier or gradual actions.
### The phrase "one fell swoop" is originally from ______?
- [x] Shakespeare’s "Macbeth"
- [ ] Mark Twain’s "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer"
- [ ] J.K. Rowling’s "Harry Potter"
- [ ] Charles Dickens' "Oliver Twist"
> **Explanation:** "One fell swoop" is famously from Shakespeare's "Macbeth," where it graphically portrays the swift and tragic loss experienced by Macduff.
### True or False: "One fell swoop" means performing actions one step at a time.
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** False. The phrase means to accomplish something all at once, not step-by-step.
### Which of these captures the spirit of "one fell swoop"?
- [x] Cutting through a problem in one decisive action
- [ ] Slowly sipping a cup of tea over an hour
- [ ] Learning a language over several years
- [ ] Building a house brick by brick
> **Explanation:** Cutting through a problem in one decisive action aptly embodies the essence of "one fell swoop."
Farewell Thought
“May you always find the courage to act swiftly when needed and the wisdom to cherish moments of gradual growth.”
— Percival Quicktalker
