Common American Phrases in Everyday Contexts (169 page)

on the other hand
a phrase introducing an alternate view.
J
OHN
: I'm ready to go; on the other hand, I'm perfectly comfortable here. S
ALLY
: I'll let you know when I'm ready, then
.
M
ARY
: I like this one. On the other hand, this is nice too. S
UE
: Why not get both?

once and for all
finally; permanently.
S
UE
: I'm going to get this place organized once and for all! A
LICE
: That'll be the day!
“We
need to get this straightened out once and for all,” said Bob, for the fourth time today.

once more
AND
one more time
Please do it one more time.
M
ARY
: You sang that line beautifully, Fred. Now, once more. F
RED
: I'm really tired of all this rehearsing
.
J
OHN
(finishing practicing his speech): How was that? S
UE
: Good! One more time, though. J
OHN
: I'm getting bored with it.

the
one and only,
someone (announcing or presenting) someone famous or important. (Also used as sarcasm or exaggeration. See also my one and only.)
And now, without further ado, I give you the one and only, Mayor La Trivia!
May I present to you the one and only, Joe Doaks, our favorite clerk.

one final thing
Go to one final word.

one final word
AND
one final thing; one more thing
a phrase introducing a parting comment or the last item in a list.
J
OHN
: One final word: keep your chin up. M
ARY
: Good advice!
S
UE
: And one final thing: don't haul around a lot of expensive camera stuff. It just tells the thieves who to rob. J
OHN
: There are thieves here? S
UE
: Yeah. Everywhere.

One moment, please
.
Please wait a minute.; Just a minute.
J
OHN
: Can you help me? C
LERK
: One moment, please. I will be with you shortly
.
B
ILL
(answering the phone): Hello? B
OB
: Hello. Can I speak to Tom? B
ILL
: One moment, please. (handing phone to Tom) It's for you. T
OM
: Hello, this is Tom.