all of a sudden

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all of a sudden

Meaning

• suddenly, without advance warning.
• expressing a sudden or unexpected event or changes in a situation

“All of a sudden” is an expression that describes a sudden or unexpected event or change in a situation. It indicates that something happened quickly and unexpectedly, without any warning or preparation.

Example Sentences

1. I was sitting in the park when, all of a sudden, it started raining heavily.
2. Sarah was playing with her toys when, all of a sudden, her little brother knocked them all down.
3. I was walking down the street when, all of a sudden, I saw my old friend from college.
4. The movie was boring at first, but all of a sudden, there was an unexpected plot twist that made it enjoyable.
5. All of a sudden, the sky darkened and rain began.

Origin

The phrase “all of a sudden” is an idiom that has been in use since the 1600s. It is believed to have originated from the earlier expression “of a sudden,” which means “unexpectedly” or “without warning.” Over time, the phrase “all of a sudden” emerged to express a more extreme sense of suddenness. The phrase is commonly used in everyday conversation and writing to describe various unexpected situations or events.

About the Author

Elena Jones holds a PhD in Education from Harvard University. She has extensive experience teaching at both the K–12 and university levels, with a particular focus on English as a Second Language. Elena has dedicated her career to advancing educational practices, and she has contributed to numerous educational journals.

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