at one stroke

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at one stroke" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe achieving multiple results or making a significant change all at once. Example: "The new policy eliminated the budget deficit and improved employee morale at one stroke."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

He intends to divert some of the savings into conventional forces and reintroduce conscription, and "at one stroke" solve Britain's balance of payments, educational and unemployment problems.

The Guardian

The reason is that by developing drugs that mimic the effect of NAD on sir2, people in principle might at one stroke gain the health and longevity benefits of a calorically restricted diet, which in practice very few people could adhere to.

The New York Times - Science

Pianists rolled chords instead of playing them at one stroke.

The New Yorker

This problem was to be solved at one stroke.

The Guardian

With the genomic area, the coding for all of an organism's thousands of genes is revealed at one stroke.

The New York Times

– are resolved at one stroke, as you feel the surge of that strange confidence only experienced in dreams.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

The majority of the public and patients at risk of stroke were aware of at least one stroke symptom: unilateral weakness and speech disturbance were the two symptoms of stroke most commonly mentioned or recognised.

BMC Health Services Research

In relation to the general public, USA studies reported 69%[ 27] and 70%[ 28] could freely recall at least one stroke symptom and 89% correctly identified at least three major stroke symptoms from a list[ 29].

BMC Health Services Research

Jay Sigel and Steve Veriato were at 66, one stroke better than John Jacobs and Jesse Patino.

The New York Times - Sports

Flesch was the leader at 64, one stroke ahead of Duffy Waldorf and two ahead of Tom Lehman, Vijay Singh, Skip Kendall and Matt Kuchar.

The New York Times - Sports

John Daly shot a 68 and is among a group of five at 207, one stroke behind the leaders.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at one stroke" to convey efficiency and completeness when multiple objectives are achieved with a single action. For instance, "The company streamlined its operations, improving efficiency and reducing costs at one stroke."

Common error

Avoid using "at one stroke" when the intended meaning is gradual or incremental progress. This phrase implies a swift and comprehensive change, not a series of smaller steps.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at one stroke" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate that an action achieves multiple results or effects simultaneously. Ludwig's examples illustrate this function across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

19%

Encyclopedias

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

4%

Books

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at one stroke" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to convey the simultaneous achievement of multiple objectives. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts. Its strength lies in emphasizing the efficiency and comprehensiveness of an action. Common in news, science, and encyclopedia sources, "at one stroke" serves as a neutral yet impactful phrase to describe scenarios where a single action yields multiple positive outcomes. Remember to use it when you want to highlight a simultaneous, comprehensive change, rather than a gradual process.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in one fell swoop

Emphasizes the completeness and decisiveness of the action, often implying a forceful or dramatic change.

all at once

Focuses on the simultaneous nature of the action or event.

simultaneously

Highlights the temporal coincidence of multiple actions.

with a single action

Emphasizes the efficiency and simplicity of achieving a result.

in a single move

Suggests a strategic or calculated action with immediate impact.

at a single attempt

Focuses on the action to produce a result, without multiple attempts.

in one action

Focuses on performing an action just one time.

in a blink of an eye

Focuses on how fast an action takes place, and is often perceived.

in an instant

Stresses the immediacy and speed of the action.

instantaneously

Highlights the immediate effect or result of the action.

FAQs

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

Use "at one stroke" to describe accomplishing multiple things with a single action. For example, "The new policy aimed to reduce waste and increase efficiency "at one stroke"".

What are some alternatives to saying "at one stroke"?

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

Is it appropriate to use "at one stroke" in formal writing?

Yes, "at one stroke" is appropriate for formal writing. As evidenced by Ludwig, it appears in publications such as The New York Times and The Guardian.

What is the difference between "at one stroke" and "at once"?

"At one stroke" implies accomplishing multiple things with a single action, while "at once" simply means immediately or simultaneously.