all at once

Meaning: Suddenly, with no warning.

Language: English

Literally: (Already vivid in English)

Example: “All at once the music stopped and the lights came on.”

Category: Daily Life

Origin: "At once" has meant both immediately and simultaneously since Middle English; "all at once" keeps the sudden sense.

Equivalents in other languages

do more harm than good — To make matters worse while trying to help.
go through the motions — To do something without care or real effort.
mark my words — Remember what I am telling you; it will turn out to be true.
give someone the runaround — To put someone off with excuses instead of a straight answer.
pin the blame on someone — To make someone take responsibility for a fault, often unfairly.
a closed book — Something one knows nothing about, or someone impossible to understand.

drag one's feet — To delay deliberately.
be tone-deaf — To be unable to tell musical notes apart; also, to have no sense of how others feel.
throw dust in someone's eyes — To mislead someone by distracting them.
when pigs fly — Never.
lead someone up the garden path — To deceive someone, keeping them hopeful along the way.
packed like sardines — Crowded very tightly together.

Cowards are always cruel. — Fear makes people lash out at those weaker, since they cannot confront genuine threats.
First creep and then go. — Learning basics before advancing prevents failure and wasted effort on complex skills.
Crooked logs make straight fires. — Imperfect materials can still serve their purpose effectively when properly arranged and…