all of a sudden

Idioms and Phrases

Entirely without warning, abruptly, as in All of a sudden the lights went out . In Shakespeare's day the common phrase was of a sudden , the word all being added in the late 1600s. Also see all at once , def. 2.

Example Sentences

"All of a sudden there was a horrendous growl and this dog came running and pounced on Alfred," Ms Gunston said.

From BBC

“My mother was a big smoker, and I have had quite a few experiences, not necessarily in my home, but in a hotel room or maybe a boat, and all of a sudden I smell cigarette smoke,” Moore says.

From Los Angeles Times

“I’ll never forget sitting in my house and all of a sudden this big cardinal Cadillac comes up,” Munoz said.

From Los Angeles Times

“But are you, all of a sudden, going to go out and try to arrest 13 to 15 million people? That’s a resource issue, and it’s probably not feasible.”

From Los Angeles Times

All of a sudden, the blaze “was in this canyon by the house in the backyard.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• abruptly
• quickly
• swiftly