in unison
in unison — idiom
1. if two or more people do something in unison, they all do it at exactly the same
if two or more people do something in unison, they all do it at exactly the same moment, so their words or movements line up.
The whole choir bowed in unison as the final note faded away.
movement done at the same moment by a group
When the teacher asked the question, the children shouted the answer in unison.
speaking the same words at once
Rodrigo and Nadia raised their glasses in unison and wished their friend luck.
The dancers stepped forward in unison, their feet hitting the floor as one.
The crowd clapped in unison until the band returned for an encore.
- together
plainer; loses the sense of perfect timing
- simultaneously
more formal; focuses on the timing, not the coordination
- as one
stresses that the group moved like a single body
- separately
each person at their own moment
文法句型
[do something] in unison
用法筆記
Most often used of physical movements or chanted words, where the timing is visible or audible. Distinguish from sense 2, which is about people sharing the same opinion rather than the same timing.
常見錯誤
2. if people are in unison, they fully agree with each other about something and sp
if people are in unison, they fully agree with each other about something and speak or act as if they share one view.
For once, the parents and teachers were in unison about the new bedtime rules.
be in unison about [an issue] for full agreement
The board members spoke in unison against the plan to sell the old factory.
speaking with one shared opinion
Gita and Caleb were in unison on which house to buy, so the choice was easy.
The whole village stood in unison to protect the river from the new road.
- in agreement
plainer and more common in speech
- of one mind
more idiomatic; stresses shared thinking
- united
broader; can describe lasting unity, not just one decision
文法句型
be in unison (on/about something)
用法筆記
Subject is usually a group or two parties who might be expected to disagree; the phrase highlights that they share one position. Distinguish from sense 1, which is about matching timing, not matching opinions.
3. if parts of a system or people work in unison, they combine smoothly so that the
if parts of a system or people work in unison, they combine smoothly so that the whole thing runs well or a shared goal is reached.
The heart and lungs work in unison to keep fresh blood moving through the body.
parts of a system combining smoothly
The rescue teams worked in unison to pull the trapped hikers to safety.
people combining effort toward one goal
Sivan made sure the lights and music ran in unison throughout the show.
When the gears move in unison, the whole machine turns without a sound.
- in harmony
more about a pleasant fit than a working result
- hand in hand
informal; stresses close cooperation
- in concert
formal; combined action toward a goal
- at cross purposes
working in ways that undo each other
文法句型
work in unison (with something)
用法筆記
Often used of body organs, machine parts, or teams whose smooth coordination produces a result. Pairs naturally with the verb 'work'. Distinguish from sense 1, which stresses identical timing rather than a shared outcome.