Definitions by PaulMilo

one fell swoop 

means: All at once. It may refer to the swooping of a predatory bird, with the indication that there was a cessation of life in the prey because of the word 'fell' which is seldom used except in the context of (that tree was felled some time ago)

I ate the handful of grapes in one fell swoop.

one fell swoop by PaulMilo January 17, 2008