at a stroke

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at a stroke" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to indicate that something is done suddenly or all at once. Example: "He solved the problem at a stroke." Alternative expressions include "in one fell swoop" and "all at once."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

At a stroke, negotiating bite would disappear.

The Guardian - Business

Childhood was over at a stroke.

The New Yorker

True reform requires transformation at a stroke.

The New Yorker

The bill does that at a stroke.

The Guardian - Opinion

Poverty would be over, at a stroke.

The New York Times

Privatisation would destroy that at a stroke".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

At a stroke, overheads would be reduced.

The Guardian - Sport

And, at a stroke, justice was denied.

The Guardian - Sport

We've done it at a stroke.

The Guardian - Business

At a stroke, my partner's "pension" vanished.

The Guardian - Money

Deller solved Tippett's problem at a stroke.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at a stroke" to emphasize the sudden and comprehensive nature of an action or change. It adds impact when describing how a single event led to significant consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "at a stroke" when describing gradual or incremental changes. This phrase is best suited for actions that produce immediate and noticeable effects.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at a stroke" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the manner in which an action is performed. It emphasizes that something is done quickly, decisively, and in a single action. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at a stroke" functions as an adverbial phrase to emphasize the sudden and comprehensive nature of an action. It commonly appears in news, business, and some scientific writing. According to Ludwig, its usage is grammatically correct and very common. When a writer wants to conveys a sense of immediacy and decisive impact, it is an appropiate choice. While several alternatives exist, "in one fell swoop" is a close substitute. The analysis confirms that "at a stroke" is a versatile and effective phrase for highlighting impactful and swift actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in one fell swoop

Implies a complete and sudden action, often with a negative connotation.

in a single action

Emphasizes the singularity of the action, highlighting efficiency.

with one action

Similar to "in a single action" but slightly less formal.

in one go

Informal and emphasizes the action being completed without interruption.

at one shot

Similar meaning but often used in contexts involving attempts or opportunities.

with a single move

Suggests strategic action or a clever tactic.

in one step

Indicates a simplified process or a direct approach.

instantly

Highlights the immediacy of the result, focusing on the speed.

all at once

Emphasizes the simultaneous nature of the action and its effect.

decisively

Focuses on the determination and finality of the action.

FAQs

How can I use "at a stroke" in a sentence?

Use "at a stroke" to indicate that something is achieved or resolved with a single, decisive action. For example, "The new law eliminated bureaucracy "at a stroke"".

What are some alternatives to "at a stroke"?

You can use alternatives like "in one fell swoop", "in a single action", or "all at once" depending on the context.

Is "at a stroke" formal or informal?

"At a stroke" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it's more common in formal writing and speech.

Can "at a stroke" be used in negative contexts?

Yes, "at a stroke" can be used to describe negative outcomes that occur suddenly. For example, "The company's reputation was ruined "at a stroke" by the scandal".