Idioms for “Never Going to Happen”: A Comprehensive Guide
Idioms add color and depth to the English language, allowing for nuanced and expressive communication. When it comes to expressing disbelief or the impossibility of something occurring, numerous idioms capture this sentiment perfectly.
Understanding these idioms is crucial for both comprehending native speakers and enriching your own English expression. This article provides a comprehensive exploration of idioms that convey the idea of something “never going to happen,” offering definitions, examples, and practical exercises to help you master their usage.
This guide is perfect for English language learners of all levels, from intermediate to advanced.
By the end of this article, you’ll be able to confidently recognize and use idioms that express impossibility, adding a layer of sophistication to your English communication and comprehension.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Definition of Idioms for “Never Going to Happen”
- Structural Breakdown of These Idioms
- Types and Categories of Idioms
- Examples of Idioms for “Never Going to Happen”
- Usage Rules
- Common Mistakes
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics
- FAQ
- Conclusion
Definition of Idioms for “Never Going to Happen”
Idioms are expressions whose meanings cannot be understood from the literal meanings of the individual words. They are figurative language that relies on shared cultural knowledge and context.
Idioms for “never going to happen” are a specific subset that expresses disbelief or the impossibility of a particular event occurring. These idioms often use hyperbole, humor, or absurdity to emphasize the unlikelihood.
Classification: These idioms are classified as figurative language, specifically falling under the category of expressions of impossibility or disbelief.
Function: Their primary function is to convey a strong sense of doubt or certainty that something will not occur. They add emphasis and emotional color to communication, making it more engaging and impactful.
Contexts: These idioms are commonly used in informal conversations, storytelling, and even in some forms of writing (such as fiction or opinion pieces). They are less appropriate in formal academic or professional settings where precise and literal language is preferred. However, they can be used effectively in persuasive communication when the speaker or writer wants to connect with the audience on an emotional level.
Structural Breakdown of These Idioms
The structure of idioms for “never going to happen” varies, but they often involve:
- Impossible scenarios: Many idioms create an absurd or impossible scenario (e.g., “when pigs fly,” “when hell freezes over”).
- Hyperbole: They frequently use exaggeration to emphasize the unlikelihood (e.g., “not in a million years”).
- Conditional clauses: Some idioms are structured as conditional clauses, implying that the event will only occur under impossible circumstances (e.g., “if pigs could fly”).
- Negation: Many include negative words like “not” or “never” to reinforce the idea of impossibility (e.g., “not a chance,” “never”).
The power of these idioms lies not in their literal meaning but in their figurative representation of impossibility. Understanding the underlying structure helps in recognizing and interpreting them correctly.
Types and Categories of Idioms
While all these idioms convey impossibility, they can be categorized based on the specific imagery or rhetorical devices they employ:
- Absurd Scenarios: These idioms depict events that are physically or logically impossible. Examples include “when pigs fly” and “when hell freezes over.”
- Exaggerated Timeframes: These use hyperbole regarding time to emphasize the unlikelihood. An example is “not in a million years.”
- Figurative Threats: These idioms express strong opposition, implying that something will only happen over the speaker’s dead body. An example is “over my dead body.”
- Direct Dismissal: These idioms directly reject the possibility of something happening, often with a dismissive or sarcastic tone. Examples include “in your dreams” and “fat chance.”
- Expressions of Extreme Unlikelihood: These idioms highlight the minimal probability of an event. Examples include “a snowball’s chance in hell” and “a cold day in hell.”
Understanding these categories can help you choose the most appropriate idiom to use in a given context, depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.
Examples of Idioms for “Never Going to Happen”
The following sections provide detailed examples of common idioms that express the idea of something “never going to happen.” Each idiom is explained with multiple examples to illustrate its usage in different contexts.
“When Pigs Fly”
This idiom suggests that something will never happen because it is as improbable as pigs developing the ability to fly. It’s often used humorously to express disbelief or skepticism.
The following table provides examples of how “when pigs fly” can be used in sentences:
| Sentence | Context |
|---|---|
| “He’ll clean his room when pigs fly.” | Expressing disbelief that someone will ever clean their room. |
| “She said she’d start exercising regularly, but pigs might fly first.” | Expressing skepticism about someone’s commitment to exercising. |
| “They’ll finish the project on time when pigs fly.” | Expressing doubt about a project’s timely completion. |
| “My brother will admit he’s wrong when pigs fly.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of someone admitting their mistakes. |
| “The government will lower taxes when pigs fly.” | Expressing cynicism about government policies. |
| “He’ll start cooking when pigs fly; he hates the kitchen.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of someone who dislikes cooking to start doing it. |
| “She’ll apologize when pigs fly; she’s too stubborn.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of someone apologizing due to their stubbornness. |
| “They’ll agree on something when pigs fly; they always argue.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of two people agreeing due to their constant arguments. |
| “Our boss will give us a raise when pigs fly; he’s notoriously stingy.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of receiving a raise from a stingy boss. |
| “The traffic will be light when pigs fly; it’s always congested here.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of experiencing light traffic in a congested area. |
| “He’ll learn to play the guitar when pigs fly; he has no musical talent.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of someone learning to play the guitar without musical talent. |
| “She’ll enjoy camping when pigs fly; she prefers luxury hotels.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of someone who prefers luxury enjoying camping. |
| “They’ll stop gossiping when pigs fly; it’s their favorite pastime.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of people stopping gossiping when it’s their favorite activity. |
| “Our team will win the championship when pigs fly; we’re the underdogs.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of an underdog team winning the championship. |
| “He’ll start being on time when pigs fly; he’s always late.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of someone who is always late to start being on time. |
| “She’ll start liking vegetables when pigs fly; she only eats junk food.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of someone who only eats junk food to start liking vegetables. |
| “They’ll finish renovating the house when pigs fly; they keep delaying it.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of a house renovation being completed due to constant delays. |
| “Our neighbors will move when pigs fly; they love their house.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of neighbors moving because they love their house. |
| “He’ll start reading books when pigs fly; he only watches TV.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of someone who only watches TV to start reading books. |
| “She’ll stop buying shoes when pigs fly; she’s a shopaholic.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of a shopaholic stopping their shoe-buying habit. |
“A Snowball’s Chance in Hell”
This idiom means that something has virtually no chance of happening. It emphasizes the extreme unlikelihood of an event by comparing it to a snowball surviving in a hot environment.
The following table provides examples of how “a snowball’s chance in hell” can be used in sentences:
| Sentence | Context |
|---|---|
| “He has a snowball’s chance in hell of winning the lottery.” | Expressing the extremely low probability of winning the lottery. |
| “She has a snowball’s chance in hell of getting that job; it’s highly competitive.” | Expressing the slim chance of getting a competitive job. |
| “They have a snowball’s chance in hell of finishing the project on time with all the delays.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of completing a project on time due to delays. |
| “The team has a snowball’s chance in hell of winning the championship; they’re severely understaffed.” | Expressing the almost impossible chance of a severely understaffed team winning. |
| “He has a snowball’s chance in hell of convincing her to go out with him after that disastrous date.” | Expressing the minimal chance of convincing someone after a bad date. |
| “With his lack of preparation, he has a snowball’s chance in hell of passing the exam.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of passing an exam without preparation. |
| “They have a snowball’s chance in hell of resolving their differences after such a bitter argument.” | Expressing the minimal chance of resolving differences after a heated argument. |
| “She has a snowball’s chance in hell of getting a promotion; her boss doesn’t like her.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of getting a promotion due to a strained relationship with the boss. |
| “He has a snowball’s chance in hell of finding his lost keys in this mess.” | Expressing the minimal chance of finding lost keys in a disorganized environment. |
| “They have a snowball’s chance in hell of selling their house in this market.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of selling a house in a challenging market. |
| “She has a snowball’s chance in hell of convincing her parents to let her go to the party.” | Expressing the minimal chance of convincing strict parents to allow attending a party. |
| “He has a snowball’s chance in hell of winning the election; his campaign is failing.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of winning an election with a failing campaign. |
| “They have a snowball’s chance in hell of saving the company from bankruptcy.” | Expressing the minimal chance of saving a company from bankruptcy. |
| “She has a snowball’s chance in hell of getting tickets to the sold-out concert.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of getting tickets to a sold-out event. |
| “He has a snowball’s chance in hell of repairing the broken appliance without any tools.” | Expressing the minimal chance of repairing something without the necessary tools. |
| “They have a snowball’s chance in hell of reaching their fundraising goal by the deadline.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of reaching a fundraising goal in time. |
| “She has a snowball’s chance in hell of persuading him to change his mind.” | Expressing the minimal chance of persuading someone who is stubborn. |
| “He has a snowball’s chance in hell of succeeding in that field without any experience.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of succeeding in a field without experience. |
| “They have a snowball’s chance in hell of finding a parking spot downtown during rush hour.” | Expressing the minimal chance of finding parking during rush hour. |
| “She has a snowball’s chance in hell of getting a refund without a receipt.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of getting a refund without proof of purchase. |
“Not in a Million Years”
This idiom uses hyperbole to express that something will never happen, not even in an extremely long period. It’s a strong and emphatic way to convey disbelief.
The following table provides examples of how “not in a million years” can be used in sentences:
| Sentence | Context |
|---|---|
| “Would I ever go bungee jumping? Not in a million years!” | Expressing a strong aversion to bungee jumping. |
| “Will he apologize? Not in a million years; he’s too proud.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of someone apologizing due to pride. |
| “Do you think they’ll ever reconcile? Not in a million years after that fight.” | Expressing doubt about reconciliation after a major argument. |
| “Am I going to eat that? Not in a million years; it looks disgusting.” | Expressing strong disgust and refusal to eat something. |
| “Would I ever live in the city? Not in a million years; I prefer the countryside.” | Expressing a strong preference for rural living over city life. |
| “Will he ever admit he was wrong? Not in a million years; he’s always right in his eyes.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of someone admitting they were wrong due to their ego. |
| “Would I ever date him again? Not in a million years after how he treated me.” | Expressing a strong refusal to date someone again after being mistreated. |
| “Will they ever finish the project on time? Not in a million years with their current pace.” | Expressing doubt about a project’s timely completion due to slow progress. |
| “Would I ever go skydiving? Not in a million years; I’m terrified of heights.” | Expressing a strong fear of heights and refusal to go skydiving. |
| “Will she ever forgive him? Not in a million years after what he did.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of someone forgiving another after a significant betrayal. |
| “Would I ever wear that outfit? Not in a million years; it’s completely out of style.” | Expressing a strong dislike for an outdated or unfashionable outfit. |
| “Will he ever learn to cook? Not in a million years; he prefers takeout.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of someone learning to cook because they prefer eating out. |
| “Would I ever move back to my hometown? Not in a million years; I love living here.” | Expressing a strong preference for the current location over the hometown. |
| “Will they ever agree on a decision? Not in a million years; they always clash.” | Expressing doubt about two people ever agreeing due to constant disagreements. |
| “Would I ever work for that company again? Not in a million years; it was a terrible experience.” | Expressing a strong refusal to work for a company again due to a negative experience. |
| “Will she ever stop gossiping? Not in a million years; it’s her favorite pastime.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of someone stopping gossiping because they enjoy it. |
| “Would I ever go camping? Not in a million years; I prefer the comfort of hotels.” | Expressing a strong preference for hotels over camping. |
| “Will he ever start exercising? Not in a million years; he’s too lazy.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of someone starting to exercise due to laziness. |
| “Would I ever eat insects? Not in a million years; it’s disgusting to me.” | Expressing strong disgust and refusal to eat insects. |
| “Will they ever pay me back? Not in a million years; they always avoid their debts.” | Expressing doubt about being repaid a debt due to the other person’s behavior. |
“When Hell Freezes Over”
Similar to “when pigs fly,” this idiom uses an impossible scenario to express that something will never happen. The idea of hell, a traditionally hot place, freezing over is inherently absurd.
The following table provides examples of how “when hell freezes over” can be used in sentences:
| Sentence | Context |
|---|---|
| “He’ll apologize to you when hell freezes over.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of someone apologizing. |
| “She’ll admit she’s wrong about that when hell freezes over.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of someone admitting they’re wrong. |
| “They’ll agree on something when hell freezes over; they always argue.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of two people agreeing. |
| “My boss will give us a raise when hell freezes over.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of receiving a raise. |
| “The government will reduce taxes when hell freezes over.” | Expressing cynicism about government policies. |
| “He’ll start being punctual when hell freezes over; he’s perpetually late.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of someone who is always late becoming punctual. |
| “She’ll start liking spicy food when hell freezes over; she has a sensitive palate.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of someone with a sensitive palate liking spicy food. |
| “They’ll start cleaning their apartment when hell freezes over; it’s always a mess.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of messy roommates cleaning their apartment. |
| “Our team will win the championship when hell freezes over; we’re the underdogs.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of an underdog team winning the championship. |
| “He’ll start reading books when hell freezes over; he prefers watching TV.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of someone who prefers TV starting to read books. |
| “She’ll stop buying clothes when hell freezes over; she’s a shopaholic.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of a shopaholic stopping their shopping habit. |
| “They’ll finish renovating their house when hell freezes over; they keep procrastinating.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of a home renovation being completed due to procrastination. |
| “Our neighbors will move when hell freezes over; they love their neighborhood.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of neighbors moving because they love their neighborhood. |
| “He’ll start cooking gourmet meals when hell freezes over; he can barely boil water.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of someone with poor cooking skills preparing gourmet meals. |
| “She’ll start waking up early when hell freezes over; she’s a night owl.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of a night owl starting to wake up early. |
| “They’ll start communicating effectively when hell freezes over; they always misinterpret each other.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of two people communicating effectively due to constant misinterpretations. |
| “Our company will offer unlimited vacation when hell freezes over; they’re very strict with time off.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of a company with strict time off policies offering unlimited vacation. |
| “He’ll start enjoying classical music when hell freezes over; he only listens to rock.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of someone who only listens to rock music enjoying classical music. |
| “She’ll start liking camping when hell freezes over; she prefers luxury vacations.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of someone who prefers luxury vacations liking camping. |
| “They’ll start trusting each other when hell freezes over; they have a history of betrayal.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of two people trusting each other due to past betrayals. |
“A Cold Day in Hell”
This idiom is similar to “when hell freezes over,” emphasizing the impossibility of an event by referring to the inherently hot nature of hell. It implies that the event is so unlikely that it would only happen on a day when hell becomes cold, which is an impossibility.
The following table provides examples of how “a cold day in hell” can be used in sentences:
| Sentence | Context |
|---|---|
| “He’ll help with the dishes on a cold day in hell.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of someone helping with chores. |
| “She’ll admit she was wrong about that on a cold day in hell.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of someone admitting they’re wrong. |
| “They’ll stop arguing on a cold day in hell.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of two people ceasing to argue. |
| “My boss will give us a bonus on a cold day in hell.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of receiving a bonus. |
| “The government will be efficient on a cold day in hell.” | Expressing cynicism about government efficiency. |
| “He’ll arrive on time for once on a cold day in hell.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of someone consistently late arriving on time. |
| “She’ll start enjoying horror movies on a cold day in hell.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of someone who dislikes horror movies enjoying them. |
| “They’ll clean their car on a cold day in hell.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of someone cleaning their car. |
| “Our team will win against them on a cold day in hell.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of a team winning against a strong opponent. |
| “He’ll start cooking healthy meals on a cold day in hell.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of someone with unhealthy eating habits starting to cook healthy meals. |
| “She’ll stop spending money on unnecessary things on a cold day in hell.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of someone with a spending habit stopping it. |
| “They’ll start exercising regularly on a cold day in hell.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of someone starting to exercise regularly. |
| “Our neighbors will stop playing loud music on a cold day in hell.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of neighbors stopping playing loud music. |
| “He’ll start learning a new language on a cold day in hell.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of someone starting to learn a new language. |
| “She’ll start enjoying public speaking on a cold day in hell.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of someone who dislikes public speaking enjoying it. |
| “They’ll start agreeing with each other on political issues on a cold day in hell.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of two people agreeing on political issues. |
| “Our company will offer more flexible work hours on a cold day in hell.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of a company offering more flexible work hours. |
| “He’ll start liking modern art on a cold day in hell.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of someone starting to like modern art. |
| “She’ll start being more patient on a cold day in hell.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of someone becoming more patient. |
| “They’ll start being more organized on a cold day in hell.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of two people becoming more organized. |
“Fat Chance”
This idiom is a sarcastic way of saying that there is no chance of something happening. It implies that the possibility is so slim that it’s laughable.
The following table provides examples of how “fat chance” can be used in sentences:
| Sentence | Context |
|---|---|
| “Do you think I’ll get a promotion? Fat chance!” | Expressing skepticism about receiving a promotion. |
| “Will he ever pay me back? Fat chance; he never keeps his promises.” | Expressing doubt about being repaid a debt. |
| “Do you think they’ll win the game? Fat chance; they’re terrible.” | Expressing disbelief in a team’s ability to win. |
| “Will she ever apologize? Fat chance; she’s too stubborn.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of someone apologizing due to stubbornness. |
| “Do you think he’ll clean his room? Fat chance; it’s always a mess.” | Expressing skepticism about someone cleaning their room. |
| “Will I ever get a good night’s sleep? Fat chance, with all this noise!” | Expressing the improbability of getting good sleep due to noise. |
| “Do you think they’ll actually finish the project on time? Fat chance, they’re always behind schedule.” | Expressing doubt about a project being completed on time. |
| “Will he ever admit he’s wrong? Fat chance, he always thinks he’s right.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of someone admitting they’re wrong. |
| “Do you think she’ll forgive him? Fat chance, after what he did.” | Expressing the improbability of someone forgiving another after a significant offense. |
| “Will I ever win the lottery? Fat chance, I never buy tickets.” | Expressing the extreme unlikelihood of winning the lottery. |
| “Do you think they’ll ever agree on anything? Fat chance, they always argue.” | Expressing doubt about two people ever agreeing due to constant disagreements. |
| “Will he ever learn to cook? Fat chance, he prefers takeout.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of someone learning to cook. |
| “Do you think she’ll ever stop shopping? Fat chance, she’s a shopaholic.” | Expressing the improbability of someone stopping their shopping habit. |
| “Will I ever get a day off? Fat chance, we’re short-staffed.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of getting a day off due to staffing issues. |
| “Do you think they’ll ever move out of their parents’ house? Fat chance, they’re too comfortable.” | Expressing doubt about someone moving out of their parents’ house. |
| “Will he ever start exercising? Fat chance, he’s too lazy.” | Expressing the unlikelihood of someone starting to exercise. |
| “Do you think she’ll ever enjoy camping? Fat chance, she prefers luxury hotels.” | Expressing the improbability of someone enjoying camping. |
| “Will I ever understand quantum physics? Fat chance, it’s way over my head.” | Expressing the extreme unlikelihood of understanding a complex subject. |
| “Do you think they’ll ever finish renovating their house? Fat chance, they keep procrastinating.” | Expressing doubt about a home renovation being completed. |
| “Will he ever find his lost keys? Fat chance, his apartment is a mess.” | Expressing the improbability of finding lost items in a disorganized environment. |
“Over My Dead Body”
This idiom expresses strong opposition to something happening. It implies that the speaker will do everything in their power to prevent it, even to the point of sacrificing themselves.
It’s a forceful and dramatic way to express disapproval.
The following table provides examples of how “over my dead body” can be used in sentences:
| Sentence | Context |
|---|---|
| “You’re not going out with him, over my dead body!” | Expressing strong disapproval of someone’s dating choice. |
| “They’re not tearing down this historic building, over my dead body!” | Expressing strong opposition to demolishing a building. |
| “You’re not quitting your job, over my dead body! You have so much potential here.” | Expressing strong opposition to someone quitting their job. |
| “He’s not marrying her, over my dead body! She’s all wrong for him.” | Expressing strong disapproval of someone’s marriage choice. |
| “They’re not taking my dog away, over my dead body!” | Expressing strong protectiveness over a pet. |
| “You’re not selling our family home, over my dead body!” | Expressing strong opposition to selling a cherished home. |
| “They’re not cutting funding for the arts, over my dead body!” | Expressing strong opposition to defunding arts programs. |
| “You’re not going to that dangerous part of town, over my dead body!” | Expressing strong concern for someone’s safety. |
| “They’re not closing down the library, over my dead body!” | Expressing strong opposition to closing a public library. |
| “You’re not dropping out of school, over my dead body! Education is important.” | Expressing strong disapproval of someone dropping out of school. |
| “They’re not polluting our river, over my dead body!” | Expressing strong opposition to environmental pollution. |
| “You’re not lending him any more money, over my dead body! He never pays it back.” | Expressing strong disapproval of lending money to someone unreliable. |
| “They’re not building a factory in our neighborhood, over my dead body!” | Expressing strong opposition to industrial development in a residential area. |
| “You’re not eating all the cookies, over my dead body! I want some too.” | Expressing a playful but firm refusal to let someone eat all the cookies. |
| “They’re not censoring free speech, over my dead body!” | Expressing strong opposition to censorship. |
| “You’re
not |
