no sooner ... than

no sooner (do something) than (do something else)

One action had just concluded when something else happened or began. No sooner had I wrapped up the meeting than everyone bolted from their seats. She had no sooner taken the meal out of the oven than someone started knocking at the door.

See also: no, something, sooner

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

no sooner ... than

As soon as: No sooner was the frost off the ground than the work began.

See also: no, sooner

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.