The English Oracle

What is the origin of "in one fell swoop"?

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Chapters
00:00 What Is The Origin Of &Quot;In One Fell Swoop&Quot;?
00:08 Accepted Answer Score 6
00:33 Thank you

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ACCEPTED ANSWER

Score 6


Wiktionary says it originated in Shakespeare's MacBeth:

Ro. Wife, Children, Seruants, all that could be found. […]
Macd. […] All my pretty ones?
Did you ſay All? Oh Hell-Kite! All?
What, All my pretty Chickens, and their Damme
At one fell swoope?