once and for all
これで決着
解説 Definition
その場で完全に、これを最後に決着をつけるという決意を表す慣用句。長引いていた問題を終わらせたり、繰り返さないと決めたときに用いる。
This idiom means to finish something completely and finally, so it will not need to be dealt with again. It is often used when someone wants a clear final decision or a permanent solution. It can sound strong because it suggests ending the matter fully.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
once＝一度、all＝全部、と見てまず『一度で全部終わらせる』とつかむと残りやすい表現です。単なる finally が『ついに』なのに対し、once and for all は『これを最後に、完全に片をつける』という決着感まで含みます。長引いた議論・けんか・問題でよく使い、settle this once and for all, decide once and for all の形が頻出。強い決意と再発防止の響きを一緒に覚えると定着しやすいです。
Think of three words together: end it completely. "Once" gives the idea of one final action, and "for all" adds the feeling that nothing will come back again. It often appears with phrases like "settle this once and for all," so remember it as a strong closing line, not just "finally."
例文
Let's settle this argument once and for all.
この議論に最終的に決着をつけよう。
She paid off the debt once and for all.
彼女はその借金をきっぱりと完済した。
once and for all の類義語・関連語
once and for all の語源・成り立ち Etymology
onceは古英語ānes（一度）、forは古英語for（～のために）、allは古英語eall（すべて）から。13世紀頃から「一度きりで全てを終わらせる」という決定的な意味で使われた。関連語：once（かつて）、forever（永遠に）。「これ一回で全部決着」という強い決意を表す。
This phrase is made from very old English words: "once," "for," and "all." It developed with the sense of doing something one single time in a way that settles everything completely. Because of that, "once and for all" came to express finality and a strong decision to end the matter fully.
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