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all of a sudden

   Also found in: Legal, Acronyms, Idioms, Wikipedia 0.02 sec.
sud·den  (sdn)
adj.
1. Happening without warning; unforeseen: a sudden storm.
2. Characterized by hastiness; abrupt or rash: a sudden decision. See Synonyms at impetuous.
3. Characterized by rapidity; quick and swift.
Idiom:
all of a sudden
Very quickly and unexpectedly; suddenly.

[Middle English sodain, from Old French, from Vulgar Latin *subitnus, from Latin subitneus, from subitus, from past participle of subre, to approach stealthily : sub-, secretly; see sub- + re, to go; see ei- in Indo-European roots.]

sudden·ly adv.
sudden·ness n.
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Adv.1.all of a sudden - without warning; "all at once, he started shouting"
2.all of a sudden - happening unexpectedly; "suddenly she felt a sharp pain in her side"


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All of a sudden she was arrested in the middle of a fine paragraph by Mac, who sat bolt upright, brought both feet down with a thump, and said, in a rough, excited tone
A SHEPHERD, watching his Ass feeding in a meadow, was alarmed all of a sudden by the cries of the enemy.
Then all of a sudden he fell into a deep sleep, and forgetful of his dangerous position, he slumbered sweetly.
 
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