for once
Just this once
For once signals that something is happening contrary to the usual pattern, often with mild exasperation or pleasant surprise: For once, the train arrived on time, Could you listen to me for once?
The phrase implies that the current instance breaks from an established norm of disappointment or frustration.
- infrequentlyNot happening often
- exceptionDeviation from standard
- uncommonlyTo an unusual degree
- at lastAfter prolonged waiting
- seldomOn few occasions
break · rarely · anomaly · uncharacteristically · out of character · deviation · finally · this time · occasionally · divergence · change · sporadically · relief · pleasant surprise · surprise · uniquely · reversal · unusual
frequency/habituality
for onceas always
In the usual manner
as usual · always · constantly · habitually · invariably
expectation/pattern deviation
for onceas usual
In customary manner
as expected · predictably · true to form · as per usual · unsurprisingly