one-hit wonder

Meaning

A singer, band, or artist who is famous for only one highly successful song or achievement, and fails to repeat that success with subsequent work. It can also be applied metaphorically to other fields like sports or business.

Examples

• That band from the 90s was a classic one-hit wonder; nobody remembers their other songs.

  That band from the 90s was a classic one-hit wonder; nobody remembers their other songs.

• He didn't want to be a one-hit wonder, so he worked incredibly hard on his second novel.

  He didn't want to be a one-hit wonder, so he worked incredibly hard on his second novel.

• Many viral internet stars end up being one-hit wonders who are forgotten in a month.

  Many viral internet stars end up being one-hit wonders who are forgotten in a month.

• Do you think this new artist has staying power, or are they just a one-hit wonder?

  Do you think this new artist has staying power, or are they just a one-hit wonder?

• The song 'Macarena' is one of the most famous one-hit wonders in music history.

  The song 'Macarena' is one of the most famous one-hit wonders in music history.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ They are a one-song wonder.

  ✓ They are a one-hit wonder.

  While the success is usually a song, the set idiomatic phrase is 'one-hit wonder'.

• ✗ The singer became a one-hit wonderful.

  ✓ The singer became a one-hit wonder.

  'Wonder' is used as a noun here, not the adjective 'wonderful'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I love that song, but I have no idea who sings it because they were a ___.

  💡 An artist famous for only one song.

  Show answer

  one-hit wonder

• To avoid being a ___, the director immediately started shooting a sequel.

  💡 Someone who only succeeds once.

  Show answer

  one-hit wonder