fell swoop

The phrase "fell swoop" is an idiom that refers to something happening suddenly, swiftly, or abruptly, usually resulting in a significant or overwhelming impact. It implies a single, swift, and often unexpected action that accomplishes a large or complete outcome. The word "fell" in this context means fierce or deadly, emphasizing the forceful and decisive nature of the action. The expression is often used to describe situations involving swift and all-encompassing changes or actions.