one-off action

[wʌn-ɔːf ˈækʃən]
nounpl: one-off actions
ação única
1. A single, isolated action or event that occurs only once and is not part of a regular series or pattern
The company's decision to donate to charity was a one-off action, not part of their regular policy.
A decisão da empresa de doar para caridade foi uma ação única, não faz parte de sua política regular.
2. An exceptional or unusual occurrence that stands alone without repetition
His apology was a one-off action; he never usually admits when he's wrong.
Seu pedido de desculpas foi uma ação única; ele nunca costuma admitir quando está errado.
This phrase is commonly used in both American business and Brazilian corporate contexts to distinguish exceptional or charitable actions from standard operating procedures. In Brazil, it often appears in news and business journalism when reporting on unusual corporate decisions. The concept emphasizes that something is exceptional and should not be expected to be repeated.
NYC Slang
one-shot deal
Synonyms / Sinônimos
single actionisolated eventone-time occurrencesingular eventstandalone action
Antonyms / Antônimos
recurring actionregular occurrencerepeated actionhabitual actionongoing action

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
ação única
Most common translation; clear and straightforward
General Brazilian
ação pontual
Also used to emphasize the isolated nature of the action
Portugal
acção única
Uses older spelling convention with 'cc'; same meaning as Brazilian Portuguese
São Paulo
ação de uma vez
More colloquial variation used in informal contexts

Related Words

one-offactioneventoccurrencesingle instanceexception

Related Idioms & Phrases

a one-off situation
just this once
a standalone event
not the norm
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