once in lifetime
Never happens again
Once in a lifetime describes something so rare or singular that a person might experience it only once: a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, a once-in-a-lifetime trip.
The phrase emphasizes uniqueness and urges seizing the moment, though it's often hyperbolic—used for anything memorably special rather than literally unrepeatable.
- rareSeldom found or seen
- unforgettablePermanently fixed in memory
- milestoneNotable event marking progress
- bucket listPre-death wish inventory
- momentousOf great significance
big day · irreplaceable · fleeting · shooting star · precious · singular · extraordinary · opportunity · chance · carpe diem · eclipse · wedding · graduation · pilgrimage · grand tour · aurora · safari · unique
- opportunitygolden opportunity, window of opportunity, opportunity knocks, golden chance, big break
- rarityrare, scarce, uncommon, infrequent, scant
once in lifetimeroutine
Regular sequence of actions
everyday · daily · regular · frequent · commonplace
once in lifetimeordinary
Standard, unremarkable
mundane · run-of-the-mill · unremarkable · humdrum · workaday
once, oneness, lonely, loneliness, aloneness, life, lifetime, lifetimes, lively