Idioms are fun phrases where the words together have a special meaning that is different from the literal meaning of each separate word. People use them in everyday conversations to make their speech colorful, engaging, and expressive. In this article, you will learn fifty interesting idioms about things that will never happen, absolute impossibility, and things that occur very rarely.
In this lesson, we’ll look at idioms that mean something will never happen, total impossibility, or rare occasions. Let us get started and explore some of these helpful expressions.
Idioms for Never
1. When pigs fly
Definition: Something that is completely impossible and will never, ever happen.
Used in a Sentence: When my younger brother asked if he could borrow my video game console forever, I told him he could have it when pigs fly. / Expecting our school mascot to walk into math class is like waiting for pigs to fly.
Similar Expressions: When hell freezes over / Not in a million years
2. Once in a blue moon
Definition: An event that happens very rarely or almost never.
Used in a Sentence: Our family only eats dessert before dinner once in a blue moon as a special treat. / Seeing snow fall in our southern hometown happens only once in a blue moon.
Similar Expressions: Very rarely / Seldom ever
3. Not in a million years
Definition: A strong way to say that something will never take place under any circumstances.
Used in a Sentence: I would not jump off that high cliff into the water not in a million years. / He promised he would never share my diary secret, not in a million years.
Similar Expressions: Absolutely never / Under no conditions
4. When hell freezes over
Definition: A dramatic expression emphasizing that an event will definitely never happen.
Used in a Sentence: My dad said he would wear a bright pink tuxedo to work when hell freezes over. / Expecting our lazy dog to fetch the newspaper by himself is going to happen when hell freezes over.
Similar Expressions: When pigs fly / Never on earth
5. Till the cows come home
Definition: Waiting for an extremely long time or forever without results.
Used in a Sentence: You can argue about who is better at video games till the cows come home, but nobody will win. / She could study those spelling words till the cows come home, but she needs to sleep.
Similar Expressions: For eternity / Forever and ever
6. At the Greek Kalends
Definition: A time that will never arrive because it does not exist on any calendar.
Used in a Sentence: When my little brother promised to clean his room at the Greek Kalends, mom knew he meant never. / Scheduling our next vacation for the Greek Kalends means it is not happening anytime soon.
Similar Expressions: Never on schedule / Infinite delay
7. When two Sundays meet
Definition: An old-fashioned way of saying an event will never take place.
Used in a Sentence: My friend promised to pay back the borrowed dollar when two Sundays meet. / Expecting chores to do themselves is like waiting for two Sundays to meet.
Similar Expressions: On the twelfth of never / Never happening
8. On the twelfth of never
Definition: A playful poetic phrase indicating a time that is totally impossible.
Used in a Sentence: He said he would share his favorite candy with me on the twelfth of never. / Expecting our cat to bark like a dog will happen on the twelfth of never.
Similar Expressions: When pigs fly / Impossible date
9. Fat chance
Definition: A sarcastic way of saying there is almost zero probability of something happening.
Used in a Sentence: When I asked if our history test was cancelled, my teacher smiled and said fat chance. / He thought he could win the sprint race without practicing, but fat chance of that happening.
Similar Expressions: Highly unlikely / Almost zero chance
10. Snowball’s chance in hell
Definition: Having absolutely no possibility of surviving or succeeding in a situation.
Used in a Sentence: Bringing an open ice cream cone near our hungry golden retriever gave it a snowball’s chance in hell. / The rookie chess player had a snowball’s chance in hell against the grandmaster.
Similar Expressions: Zero probability / Doomed entirely
11. Catch me doing that
Definition: A firm refusal meaning you will never agree to participate in an activity.
Used in a Sentence: When my friends suggested riding the scariest roller coaster, I told them, “Catch me doing that!” / Catch me eating broccoli soup for dinner when pizza is an option.
Similar Expressions: Count me out / I refuse
12. Not on your life
Definition: An emphatic refusal indicating you would never permit something to happen.
Used in a Sentence: When asked if he would lend his brand-new skateboard to the neighborhood bully, he said, “Not on your life!” / Walking through the dark forest alone at midnight? Not on your life!
Similar Expressions: Absolutely not / No way ever
13. Over my dead body
Definition: A fierce expression used to show you will prevent something from happening at all costs.
Used in a Sentence: When my sister tried to wear my favorite concert t-shirt without asking, I told her, “Over my dead body!” / Changing our puppy’s name to something silly? Over my dead body!
Similar Expressions: Never allowed / Absolute refusal
14. Rivers flowing backward
Definition: A poetic image used to describe an event that defies natural law and will never occur.
Used in a Sentence: Expecting our basketball team to forfeit the championship is like watching rivers flow backward. / He promised to stop teasing his sister when rivers start flowing backward.
Similar Expressions: Natural impossibility / Impossible event
15. A day late and a dollar short
Definition: Missing an opportunity permanently because you failed to act when it mattered.
Used in a Sentence: Arriving at the concert ticket booth after it sold out left us feeling a day late and a dollar short. / Trying to study after the exam already ended is a day late and a dollar short.
Similar Expressions: Too late / Missed the chance
16. Past the point of no return
Definition: A situation where you can never turn back or undo what has been done.
Used in a Sentence: Once we launched the model rocket into the sky, it was past the point of no return. / Breaking the antique vase meant we were past the point of no return with our parents.
Similar Expressions: Irreversible / Beyond recovery
17. Ship has sailed
Definition: An opportunity that was missed forever and will never come back.
Used in a Sentence: I wanted to sign up for the art trip, but registration closed yesterday, so that ship has sailed. / Wishing you studied earlier is useless now that the exam ship has sailed.
Similar Expressions: Opportunity missed / Too late now
18. That dog won’t hunt
Definition: An expression meaning an excuse or idea is completely unconvincing and will never work.
Used in a Sentence: When he tried to claim his dog ate his science project online, the teacher said, “That dog won’t hunt.” / Suggesting we can finish a twenty-page essay in ten minutes? That dog won’t hunt.
Similar Expressions: That excuse fails / Unworkable plan
19. Talk to a brick wall
Definition: Trying to explain something to someone who will never listen or understand.
Used in a Sentence: Arguing with my little brother about cleaning his messy room is like talking to a brick wall. / Trying to convince the strict referee was like talking to a brick wall.
Similar Expressions: Unresponsive listener / Pointless talk
20. Lock the stable door after the horse has bolted
Definition: Trying to fix a problem long after it is too late to prevent damage.
Used in a Sentence: Checking the fence gates after the dog already ran away is like locking the stable door after the horse bolted. / Studying rules after failing the test is locking the stable door too late.
Similar Expressions: Too late for prevention / Useless aftermath fix
21. Water under the bridge
Definition: A past disagreement that is finished, forgotten, and will never affect the present.
Used in a Sentence: We argued about board game rules yesterday, but today it is all water under the bridge. / Forgiving our minor argument means it is now just water under the bridge.
Similar Expressions: Past history / Forgotten conflict
22. Not a chance in the world
Definition: Complete and total impossibility of an event occurring.
Used in a Sentence: Thinking we could finish building the giant treehouse in one afternoon had not a chance in the world. / There was not a chance in the world that our cat would wear a holiday sweater.
Similar Expressions: Zero possibility / Impossible outcome
23. Dead as a doornail
Definition: Something that is permanently lifeless, broken, and will never function again.
Used in a Sentence: When I tried turning on my old middle school laptop, the battery was as dead as a doornail. / The forgotten houseplant left in the dark closet over winter break was dead as a doornail.
Similar Expressions: Permanently broken / Lifeless forever
24. Burn your bridges
Definition: To destroy your past relationships so completely that you can never return or reconcile.
Used in a Sentence: Quitting the club by yelling at everyone meant he had burned his bridges with the members. / Never burn your bridges with former teachers who wrote your recommendations.
Similar Expressions: Ruin relationships / Eliminate options
25. Cross that bridge when you come to it
Definition: Refusing to worry about a future problem until it actually happens.
Used in a Sentence: We do not know if it will rain on sports day, so we will cross that bridge when we come to it. / Stop stressing about high school finals in seventh grade; cross that bridge later.
Similar Expressions: Deal with later / Wait and see
26. Water off a duck’s back
Definition: Mean comments that slide off someone instantly and never cause any emotional hurt.
Used in a Sentence: Teasing about his funny haircut rolled off him like water off a duck’s back. / Criticism from grumpy strangers should be treated like water off a duck’s back.
Similar Expressions: Unbothered / Ignored easily
27. Let sleeping dogs lie
Definition: To leave a past argument alone so you never restart old trouble.
Used in a Sentence: We stopped talking about the election debate to let sleeping dogs lie and keep peace. / Do not bring up that old playground argument; let sleeping dogs lie.
Similar Expressions: Leave alone / Avoid past drama
28. Barking dogs seldom bite
Definition: People who make loud, scary threats will never actually follow through with them.
Used in a Sentence: Do not worry about his loud warnings because barking dogs seldom bite. / The bully threatened to tell on us, but barking dogs seldom bite.
Similar Expressions: Empty threats / All talk
29. A leopard cannot change its spots
Definition: A person’s fundamental bad habits or character will never truly change.
Used in a Sentence: Even though he promised to arrive on time, he was late again because a leopard cannot change its spots. / She tried to act organized, but a leopard cannot change its spots.
Similar Expressions: True nature remains / Habits persist
30. Teach an old dog new tricks
Definition: Trying to make someone change lifelong habits, which is famously very difficult.
Used in a Sentence: Getting my grandfather to learn modern smartphone apps is like trying to teach an old dog new tricks. / Trying to alter his cooking recipe after forty years is teaching an old dog new tricks.
Similar Expressions: Hard to change / Stubborn habits
31. Lightning never strikes twice in the same place
Definition: A rare, fortunate or unfortunate event will almost never happen to the same person twice.
Used in a Sentence: Winning the school science fair twice in a row is rare, proving lightning never strikes twice. / He missed catching the bus twice today, but lightning never strikes twice so he will catch the next one.
Similar Expressions: Rare coincidence / Unlikely repeat
32. History repeats itself
Definition: Past events and mistakes will happen again in the future because people never learn.
Used in a Sentence: Forgetting our science lab equipment again proved the old saying that history repeats itself. / When the team made the same formation error in the second half, history repeated itself.
Similar Expressions: Patterns recur / Past returns
33. Out of sight, out of mind
Definition: When you stop seeing someone or something, you never think about them anymore.
Used in a Sentence: After my best friend moved to a different state, it felt like out of sight, out of mind. / Put the box of cookies away in the pantry so it is out of sight, out of mind.
Similar Expressions: Forgotten easily / Unseen and unthought
34. Familiarity breeds contempt
Definition: Spending too much time with someone will eventually cause you to find flaws and never get along.
Used in a Sentence: Working together on every single school project made them argue because familiarity breeds contempt. / Taking breaks from your siblings stops familiarity breeding contempt.
Similar Expressions: Too much company irritates / Close contact annoys
35. Actions speak louder than words
Definition: What someone actually does matters infinitely more than promises they never keep.
Used in a Sentence: He promised to clean the kitchen, but actions speak louder than words when it remains messy. / Do not just say you are sorry; prove it because actions speak louder than words.
Similar Expressions: Deeds over talk / Behavior matters
36. Rome wasn’t built in a day
Definition: Great achievements and complex tasks can never be finished instantly; they take time.
Used in a Sentence: When I got frustrated learning guitar chords, my teacher reminded me that Rome wasn’t built in a day. / Expecting to master advanced calculus in one afternoon is impossible because Rome wasn’t built in a day.
Similar Expressions: Takes time / Patience needed
37. Too many cooks spoil the broth
Definition: Having too many people trying to direct a project ensures it will never work right.
Used in a Sentence: When all five group members tried writing the essay introduction at once, too many cooks spoiled the broth. / Let one person lead the art project so too many cooks do not spoil the broth.
Similar Expressions: Too many leaders ruin work / Overcrowded planning fails
38. A stitch in time saves nine
Definition: Fixing a small problem immediately prevents it from becoming a giant issue later.
Used in a Sentence: Patching the tiny hole in my backpack strap now saves nine future tears. / Addressing homework errors early is a stitch in time that saves nine bad grades.
Similar Expressions: Early fix helps / Preventative care
39. Better late than never
Definition: Arriving or finishing late is still vastly better than never doing it at all.
Used in a Sentence: He turned in his science project two hours past the bell, but his teacher said better late than never. / Apologizing after a long delay is better late than never.
Similar Expressions: Late arrival preferred over absence / Better finished late
40. Look before you leap
Definition: Never rush into a risky decision without thinking about the consequences first.
Used in a Sentence: Before quitting the art club impulsively, look before you leap and consider your options. / Rushing into the skatepark without a helmet violates the rule to look before you leap.
Similar Expressions: Think first / Beware risks
41. Don’t count your chickens before they hatch
Definition: Never assume a successful outcome until it has actually happened.
Used in a Sentence: Celebrating winning the game before the final quarter ends means counting your chickens before they hatch. / Do not buy party decorations yet; do not count your chickens before they hatch.
Similar Expressions: Avoid premature joy / Wait for results
42. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket
Definition: Never risk all your resources or hopes on a single plan or choice.
Used in a Sentence: Applying to only one college is dangerous because you should never put all your eggs in one basket. / Spreading your savings across different projects means not putting all eggs in one basket.
Similar Expressions: Diversify risks / Protect options
43. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
Definition: Having something secure right now is infinitely better than chasing uncertain future gains.
Used in a Sentence: Taking the guaranteed summer job now is smarter than waiting for a maybe, because a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. / Keep what you have earned instead of gambling it away.
Similar Expressions: Secure prize wins / Keep current gains
44. The grass is greener
Definition: An alternative version reminding you that other places never solve all inner problems.
Used in a Sentence: Moving to a different seat in the classroom will not help your focus because the grass is greener illusion fades. / Appreciate what you have instead of thinking the grass is greener elsewhere.
Similar Expressions: Envy others falsely / False greener views
45. Never look a gift horse in the mouth
Definition: Never complain about the value or quality of something given to you for free.
Used in a Sentence: When my aunt gave me her old bicycle, I smiled and accepted it because you never look a gift horse in the mouth. / Do not criticize free concert tickets; never look a gift horse in the mouth.
Similar Expressions: Appreciate gifts / Accept generosity
46. Cut off your nose to spite your face
Definition: Never perform a foolish, angry action that hurts yourself more than anyone else.
Used in a Sentence: Refusing to eat dinner just to make mom mad is like cutting off your nose to spite your face. / Dropping out of the play out of spite only hurts your own acting goals.
Similar Expressions: Self-harming spite / Foolish retaliation
47. Grasp all, lose all
Definition: Trying to take too much greedily ensures you will end up keeping nothing at all.
Used in a Sentence: Trying to win every single prize at the carnival game left him with nothing, proving grasp all, lose all. / Do not be too greedy with trading cards or you will grasp all and lose all.
Similar Expressions: Greed fails / Overreaching loss
48. Penny wise and pound foolish
Definition: Being overly careful with tiny amounts of money while wasting massive amounts elsewhere.
Used in a Sentence: Driving across town to save five cents on milk while wasting gas is penny wise and pound foolish. / Saving pennies on cheap shoes that break instantly is penny wise and pound foolish.
Similar Expressions: Small-scale thrift, large-scale waste / Foolish savings
49. Waste not, want not
Definition: Never waste food, materials, or supplies so you will never experience shortages.
Used in a Sentence: Finish every bite of your sandwich on your plate because waste not, want not. / Saving scraps of paper for drawing crafts follows the rule of waste not, want not.
Similar Expressions: Conserve resources / Avoid waste
50. Actions never lie
Definition: What a person physically does always reveals their true character better than words.
Used in a Sentence: He claimed he practiced piano daily, but his messy room and skipped sessions proved actions never lie. / Watch how friends treat others because actions never lie.
Similar Expressions: Deeds reveal truth / Behavior shows reality
Exercise to Practice
- When my younger brother asked if he could borrow my video game console forever, I told him he could have it when pigs fly.
- Our family only eats dessert before dinner once in a blue moon as a special treat while playing a quiet game of chess.
- I would not jump off that high cliff into the water not in a million years.
- My dad said he would wear a bright pink tuxedo to work when hell freezes over while baking a chocolate cake in the kitchen.
- You can argue about who is better at video games till the cows come home, but nobody will win.
- When my little brother promised to clean his room at the Greek Kalends, mom knew he meant never while reading a history textbook.
- My friend promised to pay back the borrowed dollar when two Sundays meet.
- He said he would share his favorite candy with me on the twelfth of never while swimming in a deep pool.
- When I asked if our history test was cancelled, my teacher smiled and said fat chance.
- Bringing an open ice cream cone near our hungry golden retriever gave it a snowball’s chance in hell while running a fast marathon race.
- When my friends suggested riding the scariest roller coaster, I told them, “Catch me doing that!”
- When asked if he would lend his brand-new skateboard to the neighborhood bully, he said, “Not on your life!” by driving a red race car.
- When my sister tried to wear my favorite concert t-shirt without asking, I told her, “Over my dead body!”
- Expecting our basketball team to forfeit the championship is like watching rivers flow backward while sleeping soundly in a cozy bed.
- Arriving at the concert ticket booth after it sold out left us feeling a day late and a dollar short.
Answer Key
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
Conclusion
Learning these idioms helps you describe things that will never happen, absolute impossibility, and rare occasions using colorful and engaging language. By practicing them regularly, you can make your everyday writing and conversations much more expressive.
Try using one or two of these expressions the next time you write a funny story about impossible situations or talk about rare events with friends. You will find that using clever idioms makes sharing stories about never a lot more fun.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some common idioms for never?
Some popular choices include saying something will happen when pigs fly, once in a blue moon, or not in a million years. These expressions help people describe impossibility in a creative way.
Why do we use idioms in English?
Idioms add charm, color, and vivid imagery to our speech by using figurative meanings instead of plain literal words. They help us share everyday abstract concepts like time and impossibility through memorable expressions.
How can students learn these expressions easily?
Students can learn idioms best by connecting them to funny stories, impossible wishes, or everyday routines. Using them in simple sentences helps them stick in your memory.
Are these idioms okay to use in formal writing?
Most of these idioms work wonderfully in personal stories, creative essays, or casual presentations. However, strict academic research papers usually require more direct vocabulary.
Do all English speakers understand these never idioms?
Yes, most of these expressions are widely recognized across English-speaking regions, though slight regional variations in phrasing can sometimes occur.
