in one foul swoop: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘in one foul swoop’ mean?
An idiom meaning to do something quickly and efficiently, often describing the completion of multiple tasks or actions in a single swift and decisive motion.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "make quick work of" means to complete or finish something quickly and efficiently.
Idioms are fascinating expressions that provide insights into the culture and history of a society. One such idiom, "make quick work of," has its origins in American English. It is commonly used to describe completing tasks or overcoming obstacles with great speed and efficiency.
The idiom "in one go" means doing something all at once or in a single attempt, without pausing or stopping. It suggests efficiency and not wasting time.
An idiom is a phrase or expression that has a figurative meaning. One such idiom is "in one go."
The idiom "in no time" means very quickly or without delay, suggesting that something will be completed or happen in a short period of time.
The idiom "in nothing flat" means to do something quickly or in a very short amount of time.
The idiom "in and out" refers to something that is done quickly or briefly. It implies a swift or short-lived action or presence.
The idiom "in a flash" means doing something very quickly or almost instantly.
An idiom that means to gain momentum or build up force, often used in the context of a person or group gathering energy or enthusiasm for a task or goal.
The idiom "grab and go" means to quickly take or pick up something and immediately leave. It implies a sense of efficiency and urgency, often used in the context of taking food or drinks from a place without sitting down to eat.
Unexpected Dive
The idiom "in one foul swoop" is a phrase commonly used in the English language to express the idea of accomplishing multiple tasks or actions in a single, swift and decisive action. It is a phrase that emphasizes efficiency and completeness.
The origin of this idiom can be traced back to William Shakespeare's play Macbeth. In Act 4, Scene 3, Macduff uses the phrase to express the sudden and violent loss of all his loved ones. He says, "All my pretty ones? Did you say all? O hell-kite! All? / What, all my pretty chickens and their dam / At one fell swoop?" The term "fell" in this context means "cruel" or "savage," and "swoop" refers to a swift, diving motion of a bird of prey. Over time, the phrase evolved to "foul," but its meaning has remained the same.
The idiom "in one foul swoop" is often used to describe actions that address multiple issues simultaneously. For example, one might say, "The CEO fired three underperforming managers in one foul swoop, reaffirming her commitment to improving company efficiency." This usage emphasizes the idea of a unified and holistic action, contrasting with incremental progress. It conveys a sense of efficiency, skill, and audacity.
While the idiom itself is well-established and widely understood, it is not as commonly used in everyday conversation as some other idioms. This may be because it has formal undertones and is more often used to describe significant or momentous occurrences. However, it still finds its place in various literary works, journalistic articles, and even colloquial conversations where the speaker wishes to highlight the impressive and decisive nature of a particular action.
The term "in one foul swoop" can be related to other idioms that express the concept of accomplishing tasks quickly and efficiently. One such idiom is "cut corners." When someone cuts corners, they take shortcuts or bypass certain steps to complete a task more quickly. This idiom is often used in a negative context, suggesting that the person is sacrificing quality or integrity for speed. In contrast, "in one foul swoop" implies that the tasks are completed efficiently and effectively, without sacrificing quality.
Another related idiom is "make quick work of." This phrase means to complete a task or defeat an opponent swiftly and easily. It conveys a sense of efficiency and skill, similar to "in one foul swoop." However, "in one foul swoop" emphasizes the completion of multiple tasks or actions simultaneously, while "make quick work of" focuses more on the speed and ease of completing a single task or defeating a single opponent.
The idiom "in a flash" can also be related to "in one foul swoop." "In a flash" means to do something very quickly or suddenly. It implies speed and efficiency. While "in a flash" usually refers to a single action or event, "in one foul swoop" suggests the completion of multiple tasks or actions. Both idioms convey a sense of urgency and quickness.
Similarly, the idiom "in one go" is also related to "in one foul swoop." "In one go" means to do something all at once, without pausing or taking breaks. It implies efficiency and the ability to complete a task or achieve a goal in a single, uninterrupted action. This is similar to the idea conveyed by "in one foul swoop" of accomplishing multiple tasks or actions in a single, decisive action.
Finally, the idiom "fast and furious" can also be related to "in one foul swoop." "Fast and furious" implies speed, intensity, and efficiency. It suggests the completion of tasks or actions quickly and with great energy. This is similar to the idea expressed by "in one foul swoop" of accomplishing multiple tasks or actions swiftly and decisively. Both idioms convey a sense of speed, efficiency, and effectiveness.
The idiom "in one foul swoop" is a phrase that expresses the idea of accomplishing multiple tasks or actions in a single, swift, and decisive action. Its origin can be traced back to Shakespeare's Macbeth, and it has a long history of usage in the English language. While not as commonly used as some other idioms, it conveys a sense of efficiency, audacity, and completeness when describing the completion of multiple tasks or actions simultaneously. It can be related to other idioms such as "cut corners," "make quick work of," "in a flash," "in one go," and "fast and furious," which also convey the concepts of efficiency and speed.
Example usage
Examples:
1. The company decided to lay off half of its workforce in one foul swoop, causing an uproar among the employees.
2. The hurricane destroyed the entire town in one foul swoop, leaving no buildings standing.
3. The new government implemented several controversial policies in one foul swoop, angering a large portion of the population.