Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[Blossom]

I know the expression, One fell swoop, but what does fell mean?

Anybody know? An explanation would be appreciated

[advoca]

At or in one fell swoop is an idiom, meaning all at once. �He fired 100 programmers at one fell swoop.� But the word fell has four meanings:

1. Of an inhumanly cruel nature; fierce: �The fell hordes massacred many tribes as they moved south.�
2. Capable of destroying; lethal: �With one fell blow he killed the fierce tiger,�
3. Dire; sinister: �We found that the ship was sinking because of some fell chance or other.�
4. Scots. Sharp and biting. �Aye, she has a fell tongue in her head.�

It originally meant evil, but the word fell is not often used today. However, it is still alive in the word felon.

[asterix]

Here's what the Oxford Dictionary says: adj. poet. or rhet.
1. fierce, ruthless. 2. terrible, destructive. at (or in) one fell swoop in a single (orig. deadly) action.

[Blossom]

Many thanks Advoca and Asterix.