Meaning: This idiom is used to describe something that occurs very rarely or infrequently. It implies an event or situation that happens only once in a long while, often emphasizing its rarity.
Usage in Example Sentences:
- “I only see my old college friends once in a blue moon, as we all live in different cities.”
- “She visits her hometown once in a blue moon, usually only for special occasions.”
- “Finding a vintage item like that in such good condition happens once in a blue moon; it’s a rare find.”
Origin: The origin of the idiom “once in a blue moon” can be traced back to medieval England, where the term “blue moon” was used to refer to an additional full moon that occurred in a season or calendar year. The occurrence of a blue moon was considered rare, as it did not happen frequently. Over time, the phrase “once in a blue moon” evolved into a common idiom used to describe rare or infrequent events, emphasizing their scarcity or unusualness.