One-off

Idioms | C1

Listening exercises with “One-off”

If something is a one-off, then it happens once and is not repeated.

This is expression is often used when hoping that something bad will not happen again.

e.g. We had a power cut last night. Luckily we had loads of candles or it would have been a nightmare. Hopefully it was just a one-off.

One-off can be combined with a noun to mean that it will not happen repeatedly or regularly, e.g. a one-off event, a one-off trip, a one-off thing, etc.

e.g. Due to unexpectedly good results this financial year, all employees will receive a one-off bonus at the end of the month.

A person can also be described as a one-off to say that they are unique (usually in a positive way).

e.g. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone quite like him – he’s a real one-off.

Have a go at these micro-dictation exercises to hear this expression being used in context – how much can you understand?

Accent: Scotland