Once too often
adverbial phrase
Doing something one time more than it's acceptable or safe, which leads to trouble.
He joked about the boss's haircut once too often, and ended up losing his job.
Often appears as...
- push luck once too often
- lie once too often
Usage tips
Colloquial
adverbial phrase
Doing something one time more than it's acceptable or safe, which leads to trouble.
He joked about the boss's haircut once too often, and ended up losing his job.
Often appears as...
- push luck once too often
- lie once too often
Usage tips
Colloquial
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Risk and Consequence
Use when describing a behavior that's risky, which eventually leads to a negative outcome.
She skipped class once too often and failed the course.
Pro Tip 2/3Ending Tolerance
Indicates the last instance of behavior that destroys remaining patience or acceptance.
He arrived late once too often and was fired.
Pro Tip 3/3Behavior Threshold
Suitable for when someone exceeds the acceptable limit of an action or behavior.
You've ignored my advice once too often; I won't help anymore.
Pro Tip 1/3Risk and Consequence
Use when describing a behavior that's risky, which eventually leads to a negative outcome.
She skipped class once too often and failed the course.
Pro Tip 2/3Ending Tolerance
Indicates the last instance of behavior that destroys remaining patience or acceptance.
He arrived late once too often and was fired.
Pro Tip 3/3Behavior Threshold
Suitable for when someone exceeds the acceptable limit of an action or behavior.
You've ignored my advice once too often; I won't help anymore.
Pro Tip 1/3Risk and Consequence
Use when describing a behavior that's risky, which eventually leads to a negative outcome.
She skipped class once too often and failed the course.
Pro Tip 2/3Ending Tolerance
Indicates the last instance of behavior that destroys remaining patience or acceptance.
He arrived late once too often and was fired.
Pro Tip 3/3Behavior Threshold
Suitable for when someone exceeds the acceptable limit of an action or behavior.
You've ignored my advice once too often; I won't help anymore.
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