B1idiomtimeIELTS-friendly
once in a lifetime
USUK
happening only once in your life, so very special or rare
Before a noun it is hyphenated: 'a once-in-a-lifetime trip'. Start with 'once', not 'one'.
In context
Seeing the northern lights was an experience that happens once in a lifetime.
A scholarship like this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance, so take it!
Common mistake
Incorrect: It was a one in a lifetime experience.
Correct: It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
More idioms about time
- a blast from the pastsomething or someone that suddenly reminds you of an earlier time
- a long time comingif something is a long time coming, people have waited a long time for it
- a matter of timecertain to happen, although you do not know exactly when
- a race against timea situation where you must hurry to finish before time runs out
- a sign of the timessomething that shows how society is now, often in a bad way