Tag Archives: impossible

Idiom of the day

Out of the question

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Meaning: This idiom means something is impossible or not allowed; there’s no chance it will happen.

Usage in Example Sentences:

  1. “Going on vacation this month is out of the question with all the work I have.”
  2. “Skipping the final exam is completely out of the question.”
  3. “A pay raise this quarter is out of the question given the company’s budget.”

Origin: This phrase dates back to the 18th century and likely originates from formal meetings or debates, where topics not allowed to be discussed were “out of the question” (meaning not open for debate or consideration). It evolved to mean anything that is impossible or unacceptable.

Out of the question
Idiom of the day

When pigs fly

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Meaning: This idiom is used to describe something that is highly unlikely or impossible to happen.

Usage in Example Sentences:

  1. “She’ll start waking up early when pigs fly—she’s a night owl through and through.”
  2. “Sure, he’ll apologize when pigs fly. He never admits he’s wrong.”
  3. “They said they would lower the prices, but I’ll believe it when pigs fly.”

Origin: The idiom “when pigs fly” is a humorous expression that dates back centuries, reflecting the absurdity of the idea of pigs being able to fly. The phrase uses the image of pigs, which are earthbound animals, performing the impossible feat of flying to emphasize that something is so unlikely that it will never happen. Similar expressions exist in other languages, often using different animals or scenarios, but the underlying meaning is the same: the event in question is so far-fetched that it’s not going to occur. The phrase has been popular in English-speaking cultures since at least the 17th century and is still commonly used today to dismiss or express doubt about improbable situations.

when pigs fly