once again: Idiom Meaning and Origin

What does ‘once again’ mean?

The idiom "once again" means to do something repeatedly or to have a recurring event or situation. It implies that something has happened before and is happening again. It can also indicate a sense of familiarity or predictability.

Idiom Explorer

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The idiom "once again" is a commonly used phrase in the English language that indicates a repetition or recurrence of an action or event. It is recognized and understood by English speakers across different regions and cultures.

One fundamental fact about the idiom "once again" is that it consists of two words: "once" and "again." The word "once" is an adverb that means "one time" or "one occasion." It is used to indicate a single occurrence of something. On the other hand, the word "again" is an adverb that denotes repetition or a return to a previous condition or state.

When these two words are combined, they form the idiom "once again," which conveys the idea of repetition. By using this idiom, speakers emphasize that an action or event is happening again, often similar to a previous occurrence.

It is important to note that the idiom "once again" can be used in various contexts to convey different meanings. Its most common usage is to describe a recurring event, action, or situation, highlighting the repetition of an experience or behavior.

Repetition and recurrence are essential for memorization.

For example, one might say "Once again, I forgot my keys," to emphasize the repetitive nature of forgetting one's keys. This usage highlights the frustration or annoyance at the repetitive forgetfulness in a light-hearted manner.

The idiom "over and over again" can be related to "once again" as it shares a similar meaning of repetition. "Over and over again" is used to emphasize that something is happening repeatedly without any interruption.

Similarly, "once again" can be associated with the idiom "here we go again." This idiom is used to express a sense of resignation or frustration at the repetition of a situation or event that is often undesirable or unfavorable.

Additionally, the idiom "you can say that again" can be linked to "once again" as it conveys agreement or affirmation in response to a statement. It is used to indicate that the speaker completely agrees with what has been said and emphasizes the repetitive nature of that sentiment.

The idiom "once again" is widely used in the English language to indicate repetition and recurrence. It is a versatile phrase that can be employed in various contexts, highlighting the recurring nature of actions, events, or situations. The idioms "over and over again," "here we go again," and "you can say that again" are related idioms that share similar meanings and can be used interchangeably with "once again" to emphasize repetition, frustration, and agreement.

Example usage

Examples of how the idiom *once again* can be used in a sentence:

  1. I failed my driving test once again.
  2. Once again, she forgot to lock the door before leaving.
  3. He gave it his best shot, but once again, he did not win the race.

The idiom "once again" is commonly used to indicate the recurrence or repetition of a particular action or event. It implies that something is happening or being done again, often in a similar manner to previous occurrences. In the first example, the person failed their driving test for another time, suggesting that they have failed it previously. The second example showcases forgetfulness by emphasizing that she forgot to lock the door once more, indicating a habitual forgetfulness. Lastly, the idiom is used to express disappointment or frustration in the third example, as the person did not win the race despite their best efforts, just like previous times.

More "Times" idioms

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