once in a lifetime

idiom

: very rare or very rarely

a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity

This sort of opportunity comes along once in a lifetime.

Examples of once in a lifetime in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As our world warms, extreme weather that used to happen once in a lifetime are becoming more frequent occurrences. —Jessie Yeung, CNN, 16 Sep. 2023

In each episode, a musical artist will choose one deserving fan to win a once in a lifetime prize — beginning with LL Cool J (born James Todd Smith). —Daniela Avila, Peoplemag, 3 Aug. 2023

In his 40 years on the road with Nelson, Sizemore, a St. Cloud, Florida, resident, has had countless once in a lifetime experiences, like meeting everyone from Dolly Parton to U.S. presidents. —Brianne Tracy, Peoplemag, 25 July 2023

So incredibly grateful for this once in a lifetime experience! —Alexandra Schonfeld, Peoplemag, 22 June 2023

And to be sharing the stage with Lang Lang will be a dream come true; a once in a lifetime performance. —Adrianna Freedman, Good Housekeeping, 8 May 2023

For one American, this is the second coronation of a lifetime Patrick Smith A coronation is a once in a lifetime event for most — but not for one American woman who travelled to London early Saturday to attend her second. —Leila Sackur, NBC News, 6 May 2023

And to be sharing the stage with Lang Lang will be a dream come true; a once in a lifetime performance. —Adrianna Freedman, Good Housekeeping, 8 May 2023

For one American, this is the second coronation of a lifetime Patrick Smith A coronation is a once in a lifetime event for most — but not for one American woman who travelled to London early Saturday to attend her second. —Leila Sackur, NBC News, 6 May 2023

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