one-and-done
No second chances
One-and-done describes something that happens only once, with no repetition or follow-up.
The phrase originated in NCAA basketball, where top players attend college for the minimum one year before entering the professional draft: He was a classic one-and-done, gone to the NBA after his freshman season.
The term now applies broadly to any single occurrence without continuation: It was a one-and-done date—no chemistry.
Incapacitating final blow
- bracketSupport or category
- upsetDisturb, topple, or shock
- underdogPresumed loser beforehand
- do-or-dieDesperately crucial situation
playoff · qualifier · matchup · seed · wildcard · March Madness · buzzer-beater · Sweet Sixteen
Last and decisive
- conclusiveEnding all debate
- definitiveSettling a question finally
- settledNo longer in question
- finishedBrought to an end
resolved · complete · over · closed · irreversible · permanent · binding
At one time
solitary · nonrecurring · isolated · exclusive · standalone · individual · only
Potential client or opportunity
- freshmanFirst-year student
- KentuckyBluegrass State
- DukeHigh-ranking noble title
- recruitNew member sought
blue-chip · declare · combine · workout · lottery · five-star
Made for one use
- throwawayDesigned for discard
- nonreusableIntended for single application
- single-servePortioned for one
- consumableDesigned to be depleted
expendable · temporary · discardable · wasteful · convenience · plastic · packaging · pod
knockout
Incapacitating final blow
do-or-die · playoff · qualifier · matchup · seed · wildcard · March Madness · buzzer-beater · Sweet Sixteen · Final Four
final
Last and decisive
- conclusiveEnding all debate
- definitiveSettling a question finally
- settledNo longer in question
finished · resolved · complete · over · closed · irreversible · permanent · binding
once
At one time
lone · solitary · nonrecurring · isolated · exclusive · standalone · individual · only
prospect
Potential client or opportunity
recruit · blue-chip · declare · combine · workout · lottery · five-star
disposable
Made for one use
- throwawayDesigned for discard
- nonreusableIntended for single application
- single-servePortioned for one
consumable · expendable · temporary · discardable · wasteful · convenience · plastic · packaging · pod · cartridge
- College BasketballNCAA, March Madness, bracket, Final Four, Elite Eight
- tiebreakerssudden death, penalty shootout, overtime, tiebreak, extra innings
one-and-donerecurring
Happening repeatedly over time
ongoing · repeated · continuous · perpetual · repetitive
one-and-donepersistent
Continuing despite difficulty
relentless · tenacious · dogged · tireless · persevering