Idioms for Never Going to Happen: A Comprehensive Guide

Idioms add color and depth to the English language, allowing speakers to convey complex ideas with concise and evocative phrases. Among the most useful are those that express impossibility or something that will never occur.

Mastering these idioms enhances both your understanding and fluency in English, enabling you to communicate more effectively and appreciate the nuances of native speakers’ expressions. This article explores a wide range of idioms that signify impossibility, providing definitions, examples, and practical exercises to help you integrate them into your vocabulary.

This guide is beneficial for English language learners, teachers, and anyone interested in expanding their knowledge of idiomatic expressions.

By the end of this article, you will be equipped with a robust understanding of idioms that convey the idea of something never happening, and you’ll be able to use them confidently in various contexts.

Contents

Definition of Idioms for Never Going to Happen

Idioms are expressions whose meanings cannot be understood from the literal meanings of the individual words. An idiom for “never going to happen” is a phrase that conveys the idea that something is impossible or extremely unlikely to occur.

These idioms often rely on figurative language, such as metaphors or hyperbole, to emphasize the impossibility. They are a crucial part of everyday English and are used to add emphasis, humor, or a sense of realism to conversations and writing.

These idioms can be classified as fixed expressions, meaning they cannot be easily altered without losing their intended meaning. They function as adverbs or adverbial phrases, modifying verbs or entire clauses to indicate the impossibility of an action or event.

The context in which they are used is paramount, as misinterpreting an idiom can lead to misunderstandings. They are frequently used in informal settings, though some idioms are appropriate for more formal contexts as well.

Structural Breakdown

The structure of idioms for “never going to happen” varies widely. Some are simple phrases consisting of just a few words, while others are more complex clauses.

Here’s a breakdown of common structural elements:

Prepositional Phrases: Many idioms utilize prepositions to create a sense of finality or impossibility, such as “when pigs fly” or “not in a million years.”
Conditional Clauses: Some idioms use conditional clauses to highlight the conditions under which something might happen, knowing those conditions are impossible (e.g., “if hell freezes over”).
Figurative Language: Metaphors and hyperbole are common. For instance, “a snowball’s chance in hell” uses a metaphor to depict an extremely unfavorable situation.
Exaggeration: Many idioms exaggerate the time frame or conditions to emphasize impossibility, such as “once in a blue moon” (though technically possible, it’s rare) or “when the seas run dry.”

Understanding these structural elements helps in recognizing and interpreting new idioms as you encounter them.

Types and Categories of Idioms

Idioms for “never going to happen” can be categorized based on their imagery and the specific nuance they convey. Here are a few categories:

Animal-Related Idioms

These idioms often use animals to symbolize impossibility, drawing on common perceptions or absurd scenarios involving animals. For example, pigs flying is a classic image of something impossible.

Nature-Related Idioms

These idioms invoke natural phenomena to represent impossibility, such as extreme weather conditions or geological events. They leverage the power and unpredictability of nature to emphasize the unlikelihood of something occurring.

Time-Related Idioms

These idioms use timeframes to express the rarity or impossibility of an event. They often involve exaggerations of time, such as millions of years, to underscore the remoteness of the possibility.

Hypothetical/Conditional Idioms

These idioms set up hypothetical scenarios that are inherently impossible, using conditional clauses to emphasize the unlikelihood of an event. They create a sense of absurdity by presenting conditions that could never be met.

Religious/Mythological Idioms

These idioms draw on religious or mythological concepts to express impossibility. They often invoke images of hell or other supernatural events to highlight the extreme unlikelihood of something happening.

Examples of Idioms

Below are several examples of idioms that convey the idea of something “never going to happen,” categorized for clarity. Each idiom is accompanied by a definition and example sentences.

Table 1: Animal-Related Idioms

This table showcases idioms that use animals to symbolize the impossibility of an event.

Idiom	Definition	Example Sentences
When pigs fly	Something that will never happen.	“He’ll clean his room when pigs fly.” “She’ll agree to go out with him when pigs fly. He’s just not her type.” “They’ll finish the project on time when pigs fly, given their current pace.”
A snowball’s chance in hell	No chance at all.	“He has a snowball’s chance in hell of winning the election.” “With that attitude, she doesn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell of getting promoted.” “Trying to convince him is like giving a snowball’s chance in hell a shot.”
When hell freezes over	Something that will never happen.	“He’ll apologize when hell freezes over.” “She’ll admit she’s wrong when hell freezes over. She’s too stubborn.” “They’ll agree on a budget when hell freezes over, given their opposing views.”
If dogs could fly	An event that is completely impossible.	“My team will win the championship if dogs could fly.” “That company will become profitable if dogs could fly; they are constantly losing money.” “He’ll start exercising regularly if dogs could fly, but he hates physical activity.”
Until the cows come home	For a very long time; never.	“You can argue until the cows come home, but I’m not changing my mind.” “We could debate this until the cows come home and still not reach a consensus.” “He could practice until the cows come home and still not play as well as his older brother.”
A cat in hell’s chance	Having no chance at all.	“He doesn’t have a cat in hell’s chance of passing the exam without studying.” “With their current financial situation, they don’t have a cat in hell’s chance of staying afloat.” “Trying to fix that old car is like giving a cat in hell’s chance a shot.”
When donkeys fly	Something that is never going to happen.	“She will admit she was wrong when donkeys fly.” “He’ll start being on time when donkeys fly, he is always late!” “They will agree on a solution when donkeys fly, they are too stubborn.”
If fish had lips, they’d kiss you	Something sarcastic said when someone states a far-fetched scenario.	“If I won the lottery, I’d buy everyone a car.” “Yeah, and if fish had lips, they’d kiss you!” “If I became president, I’d lower taxes for everyone.” “Sure, and if fish had lips, they’d kiss you!” “If I were a millionaire, I’d donate half my money to charity.” “Alright, alright, if fish had lips, they’d kiss you!”
When chickens grow teeth	Something that will never happen.	“He’ll start liking vegetables when chickens grow teeth.” “She’ll start enjoying horror movies when chickens grow teeth; she hates being scared.” “They’ll agree to work together when chickens grow teeth, given their history of conflict.”
When monkeys fly out of my butt	Something that will absolutely never happen (vulgar).	“I’ll pay you back tomorrow, when monkeys fly out of my butt.” “I’ll start liking your cooking when monkeys fly out of my butt.” “He’ll apologize for his behavior when monkeys fly out of my butt.”

Idioms for Never Going to Happen

Table 2: Nature-Related Idioms

This table provides examples of idioms that use elements of nature to express the impossibility of an event.

Idiom	Definition	Example Sentences
A cold day in July	Something that will never happen.	“He’ll admit he was wrong about that on a cold day in July.” “She’ll start enjoying exercise on a cold day in July; she’s always avoided it.” “They’ll agree to work together peacefully on a cold day in July, given their long-standing feud.”
When the seas run dry	Something that will never happen.	“I’ll stop loving you when the seas run dry.” “He’ll stop playing video games when the seas run dry; it’s his favorite pastime.” “She’ll abandon her principles when the seas run dry; she’s very principled.”
When the sun rises in the west	Something that is impossible.	“He’ll be on time for a meeting when the sun rises in the west.” “She’ll start liking classical music when the sun rises in the west; she prefers pop music.” “They’ll agree on a solution when the sun rises in the west, given their opposing viewpoints.”
When it rains cats and dogs	Although technically possible, it is used to describe an impossible event.	“I’ll believe he’s telling the truth when it rains cats and dogs.” “She’ll finish her project on time when it rains cats and dogs considering her procrastination habits.” “They’ll agree to a compromise when it rains cats and dogs, given their stubbornness.”
Once in a blue moon	Very rarely; almost never.	“I go to the movies once in a blue moon.” “She visits her hometown once in a blue moon, as she lives far away.” “He cleans his room once in a blue moon, much to his mother’s dismay.”
When hell freezes over	Something that will never happen.	“He’ll apologize when hell freezes over.” “She’ll admit she was wrong when hell freezes over.” “They’ll agree when hell freezes over.”
When mountains move	Something that is impossible.	“He’ll change his mind when mountains move.” “She will quit her job when mountains move, she loves what she does.” “They will agree on the terms when mountains move, they are so stubborn.”

Table 3: Time-Related Idioms

This table presents idioms that use time to emphasize the unlikelihood of an event.

Idiom	Definition	Example Sentences
Not in a million years	Never.	“I would not in a million years go bungee jumping.” “She would not in a million years betray her friends.” “They would not in a million years support that policy.”
In a month of Sundays	Never.	“He’ll finish that project in a month of Sundays.” “She’ll learn to like coffee in a month of Sundays; she hates the taste.” “They’ll agree on a compromise in a month of Sundays, given their conflicting interests.”
Not in a dog’s age	A very long time; never.	“I haven’t seen him in a dog’s age.” “She hasn’t traveled abroad in a dog’s age, she is always busy with work.” “They haven’t gone on a proper vacation in a dog’s age, they need to relax.”
Not for all the tea in China	Absolutely not; never.	“I wouldn’t do that not for all the tea in China.” “She wouldn’t betray her friends not for all the tea in China.” “They wouldn’t support that policy not for all the tea in China.”

Idioms for Never Going to Happen

Table 4: Hypothetical/Conditional Idioms

This table lists idioms that use hypothetical scenarios to express impossibility.

Idiom	Definition	Example Sentences
If wishes were horses, beggars would ride	Wishing alone is not enough to make something happen.	“He wishes he could be a millionaire, but if wishes were horses, beggars would ride.” “She dreams of becoming a famous actress, but if wishes were horses, beggars would ride; she needs to work hard.” “They hope to win the lottery, but if wishes were horses, beggars would ride; they should focus on practical solutions.”
When my ship comes in	When one becomes wealthy or successful (often used sarcastically to imply it will never happen).	“I’ll buy a yacht when my ship comes in.” “She’ll donate to charity when her ship comes in.” “They’ll travel the world when their ship comes in, but they are constantly broke.”
If my aunt had balls, she’d be my uncle	A sarcastic response to a hypothetical statement, implying it’s pointless to speculate.	“If I had known about the accident, I would have helped.” “Well, if your aunt had balls, she’d be your uncle.” “If we had more funding, we could have completed the project.” “Yeah, and if your aunt had balls, she’d be your uncle; let’s focus on what we can do now.” “If I were taller, I would have been a basketball player.” “Alright, alright, if your aunt had balls, she’d be your uncle!”

Table 5: Religious/Mythological Idioms

This table provides idioms that use religious or mythological references to express impossibility.

Idiom	Definition	Example Sentences
The devil will skate there first	Something that will never happen.	“He’ll apologize for his mistakes the devil will skate there first.” “She will start being on time the devil will skate there first, she is always late.” “They will agree on the terms the devil will skate there first, they are too stubborn.”

Usage Rules

Using idioms correctly requires understanding their specific meanings and the contexts in which they are appropriate. Here are some general rules:

Context is Key: Pay attention to the situation and the tone of the conversation. Idioms are often informal and may not be suitable for formal settings.
Literal vs. Figurative: Always remember that idioms are not meant to be taken literally. Understanding the figurative meaning is essential.
Fixed Expressions: Idioms are typically fixed expressions, meaning you cannot change the words or the order without altering the meaning.
Audience Awareness: Be mindful of your audience. Some idioms may be unfamiliar to non-native speakers or people from different cultural backgrounds.
Cultural Sensitivity: Some idioms may have cultural or historical connotations that could be offensive if used inappropriately.

For example, while “when pigs fly” is generally harmless, using an idiom with religious connotations in a sensitive context could be problematic.

Common Mistakes

Several common mistakes can occur when using idioms. Here are a few examples:

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
“He’ll agree when the sky turns green.”	“He’ll agree when pigs fly.”	“When pigs fly” is the established idiom to express impossibility. “When the sky turns green” is not a recognized idiom and doesn’t carry the same weight of impossibility.
“She has a snowball’s chance in heaven.”	“She has a snowball’s chance in hell.”	The idiom is “a snowball’s chance in hell,” emphasizing the extreme unlikelihood.
“I see him once in a purple moon.”	“I see him once in a blue moon.”	The idiom is “once in a blue moon,” referring to a rare occurrence.
“Not for all the money in the world.”	“Not for all the tea in China.”	While “Not for all the money in the world” expresses a similar sentiment, “not for all the tea in China” is the specific idiom that conveys the idea.

Avoiding these common mistakes will help you use idioms correctly and confidently.

Practice Exercises: Idioms for Never Going to Happen

Test your understanding of idioms for “never going to happen” with these exercises.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blank

Complete the following sentences with the appropriate idiom from the list below.

Idiom List: when pigs fly, a snowball’s chance in hell, when hell freezes over, not in a million years, once in a blue moon

Question	Answer
1. He’ll clean his room _____.	when pigs fly
2. She has _____ of winning the competition.	a snowball’s chance in hell
3. They’ll admit they were wrong _____.	when hell freezes over
4. I would _____ go skydiving.	not in a million years
5. We go to that restaurant _____.	once in a blue moon
6. My boss will give me a raise _____.	when pigs fly
7. She has _____ to win the lottery.	a snowball’s chance in hell
8. They’ll finish the project on time _____.	when hell freezes over
9. I would _____ betray my friends.	not in a million years
10. He visits his family _____.	once in a blue moon

Exercise 2: Matching

Match the idiom with its correct definition.

Idiom	Definition	Answer
1. When the seas run dry	a. Never	1-b
2. Not in a dog’s age	b. Something that will never happen	2-c
3. Not for all the tea in China	c. A very long time; never	3-a
4. When monkeys fly out of my butt	d. Something that will absolutely never happen (vulgar).	4-d
5. The devil will skate there first	e. Something that will never happen.	5-e

Exercise 3: Sentence Completion

Rewrite the sentences using idioms to emphasize the impossibility of the situation.

Original Sentence	Rewritten Sentence (with Idiom)
1. He will never admit he was wrong.	He’ll admit he was wrong when hell freezes over.
2. I would absolutely never go bungee jumping.	I would not in a million years go bungee jumping.
3. She very rarely visits her hometown.	She visits her hometown once in a blue moon.
4. It is impossible for him to win the election.	He has a snowball’s chance in hell of winning the election.
5. That will never happen.	That will happen when pigs fly.
6. She will never like his cooking.	She’ll like his cooking when monkeys fly out of my butt.
7. He will never agree to those terms.	He will agree to those terms the devil will skate there first.
8. It is never going to happen.	It’s going to happen when the seas run dry.
9. I haven’t seen her in a very long time.	I haven’t seen her in a dog’s age.
10. I would never betray my friend.	I wouldn’t betray my friend not for all the tea in China.

Advanced Topics

For advanced learners, exploring the origins and cultural contexts of these idioms can provide a deeper understanding of their usage. Additionally, analyzing how idioms are translated across languages can reveal interesting cultural differences in expressing impossibility.

Studying the evolution of idioms over time can also offer insights into how language reflects societal changes.

Another advanced topic is the use of idioms in literature and creative writing. Authors often use idioms to add authenticity and color to their characters’ speech, making them more relatable and believable.

Analyzing how different authors use idioms can provide valuable insights into effective writing techniques.

FAQs: Idioms for Never Going to Happen

What is an idiom?An idiom is an expression whose meaning is different from the literal meaning of its individual words. It’s a phrase that has a figurative meaning understood through common usage.
Why are idioms important in English?Idioms enrich the language, making it more expressive and nuanced. They are commonly used in everyday conversation and understanding them is crucial for effective communication.
How can I learn idioms effectively?The best way to learn idioms is through exposure and context. Reading extensively, listening to native speakers, and using flashcards can be helpful. Also, pay attention to how idioms are used in different situations.
Are idioms the same across all English-speaking countries?No, idioms can vary by region and culture. Some idioms are specific to certain countries or dialects, so it’s important to be aware of these differences.
Can I create my own idioms?While you can certainly be creative with language, idioms are generally established through common usage over time. A newly created phrase is unlikely to be understood as an idiom unless it gains widespread acceptance.
How do I know when to use an idiom?Consider the context and your audience. Idioms are often informal and may not be appropriate for formal settings. If you’re unsure, it’s best to err on the side of caution and use more direct language.
What should I do if I don’t understand an idiom?Ask for clarification. Don’t be afraid to ask the speaker to explain the idiom or provide an example of its use.
Are there any resources that can help me learn idioms?Yes, there are many resources available, including dictionaries of idioms, online idiom quizzes, and language learning apps that focus on idiomatic expressions.

Conclusion:

Mastering idioms for “never going to happen” is a valuable step in enhancing your English language skills. These idioms add color, depth, and nuance to your communication, allowing you to express impossibility in a more engaging and memorable way.

By understanding their definitions, structures, and usage rules, you can confidently incorporate them into your vocabulary and improve your overall fluency.

Remember to practice regularly, pay attention to context, and be mindful of your audience. With consistent effort, you’ll be able to use these idioms effectively and appreciate the richness of the English language.

Keep exploring new idioms and refining your understanding of their cultural and historical backgrounds to become a truly proficient English speaker.

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