Phrase of the day

Discover a new phrase each day to use in your English! These are special phrases and sayings that English speakers use all the time, but you don't often see these phrases in English course books or other study material. Visit daily to learn some popular English phrases on a regular basis.
14th July 2024

As a one-off

We use this expression to say that we are going to do something different from what we normally do.
Usage
Written: 
No
Spoken: 
Yes
Formal: 
No
Informal: 
Yes
Example 1
Why are you home from school early?
The teacher let us finish half an hour early today, as a one-off.
I'm glad it's a one-off. We're paying a lot of money for your lessons.
Example 2
I'm going to call in sick tomorrow.
You shouldn't do that. It creates more work for other people.
I'm just doing it as a one-off. I don't normally do things like that.

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