The phrase "not in a million years" is an idiom used to express extreme certainty that something will never happen. The origin of this phrase is not precisely documented, but it likely emerged from the idea that a million years is an incredibly long time, making the occurrence of a particular event extremely unlikely.

What is the origin of the idiom "not in a million years" and when to use it?

{not|never} in a (thousand|million|billion) years

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The phrase "a snowball's chance in hell" is an idiom used to describe a situation where something has virtually no chance of success or survival. The origin of this phrase can be traced back to the idea that a snowball would quickly melt in the extreme heat of hell, emphasizing the extreme improbability of success in unfavorable circumstances.

What is the origin of the idiom "a snowball's chance in hell" and when to use it?

a snowball's chance in hell

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The phrase "a trip to the sun" is an idiomatic expression that signifies an impossible or absurd endeavor. It's used to emphasize that a proposed action or idea is so unrealistic or unattainable that it's akin to suggesting a journey to the sun, which is physically impossible. The origin of this phrase is not precisely documented, but it likely developed from the impracticality of reaching the sun due to its extreme heat and the technological limitations of space travel.

What is the origin of the idiom "a trip to the sun" and when to use it?

a trip to the sun

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for love (or|nor) money

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The idiom "pie in the sky" originated in the early 20th century, and it is often attributed to labor union songs and slogans. It has been used to describe an idea or promise of something wonderful or beneficial that is highly unlikely to materialize, much like a pie that is in the sky is out of reach.

What is the origin of the idiom "pie in the sky" and when to use it?

pie in the sky

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The phrase "by any stretch of the imagination" is used to qualify the degree to which something is true, feasible, or possible. When "no" is included, it implies that there is absolutely no way to consider something as true or possible. The origin of this phrase is not precisely documented, but it's a common expression used to emphasize the necessity or impossibility of a situation when assessing it from various perspectives.

What is the origin of the idiom "by any stretch of the imagination" and when to use it?

by (any|no) stretch (of the imagination|)

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The idiom "no way" is an informal expression that signifies strong disbelief, refusal, or a sense of impossibility. While its precise origin is not documented, it has become a widely used colloquial term in everyday language.

What is the origin of the idiom "no way" and when to use it?

no way

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The phrase "the ship has sailed" is an idiom used to convey that an opportunity or a chance for a particular action or event has passed, and it is no longer feasible or relevant. The origin of this phrase relates to the idea that once a ship has departed from a harbor, it becomes increasingly difficult or impossible to catch up to it.

What is the origin of the idiom "the ship has sailed" and when to use it?

(the|that) ship has (long|) sailed

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The idiom "ill afford something" is used to indicate that someone or something cannot bear the burden of a particular action, cost, or responsibility due to financial constraints or unfavorable circumstances. The origin of this phrase can be traced to the idea of financial hardship and the ability to withstand or manage expenses.

What is the origin of the idiom "ill afford something" and when to use it?

to ill afford {sth}

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The idiom "point of no return" is originated from aviation and navigation, referring to the point in a journey where it becomes impossible to turn back without significant consequences. In a broader sense, it is used to describe a critical moment or decision after which it is impossible to change course, and one must continue with a particular action, plan, or commitment, regardless of the consequences.

What is the origin of the idiom "point of no return" and when to use it?

point of no return

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The idiom "out of the question" is used to convey that something is not even a possibility, is completely unfeasible, or is definitively not allowed or considered. Its origin is not precisely documented, but it's a common expression used to emphasize that a particular idea, plan, or action is ruled out from the start, without any chance of happening.

What is the origin of the idiom "out of the question" and when to use it?

out of the question

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The phrase "when chickens have teeth" is an idiom that is used to express the idea that something is so unlikely to happen that it is virtually impossible. It is often used to emphasize the extreme improbability of a situation or event.

What is the origin of the idiom "when chickens have teeth" and when to use it?

when chickens have teeth

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The phrase "when hell freezes over" is an idiom used to convey the idea that something is so unlikely or impossible that it will never occur. The expression likely stems from the perception that hell, being a place of extreme heat and torment, could only freeze over in the most unimaginable and improbable circumstances.

What is the origin of the idiom "when hell freezes over" and when to use it?

when hell freezes over

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The phrase "a cold day in hell" is an idiom used to express that something is extremely unlikely or improbable. While its precise origin is not documented, it has been in use since at least the early 20th century and is derived from the feelings of skepticism, doubt, or a sense of improbability.

What is the origin of the idiom "a cold day in hell" and when to use it?

cold day in hell

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The phrase "when two Sundays meet" is an idiom that signifies an event that is incredibly rare or virtually impossible. The origin of this phrase is not precisely documented, but it likely evolved from the idea that two Sundays can never occur back-to-back in the same week, emphasizing the extreme improbability of the mentioned event.

What is the origin of the idiom "when two Sundays meet" and when to use it?

when two Sundays meet

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The phrase "over one's dead body" is an idiom that is used to show strong opposition or resistance to a particular idea, plan, or action. The origin of this phrase is not precisely documented, but it has been in use since at least the early 20th century and is likely rooted in the idea that even in death, a person's body remains an obstacle to the unwanted action.

What is the origin of the idiom "over one's dead body" and when to use it?

over {one's} dead (body|corpse)

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The phrase "cry for the moon" is an idiom that means to make an unreasonable or extravagant request or demand, often one that is unattainable or impractical. The origin of this expression can be traced back to the idea that crying for the moon, a celestial body out of reach, is akin to asking for something impossible.

What is the origin of the idiom "cry for the moon" and when to use it?

to [cry] for the moon

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The idiom "off the table" is used to indicate that a particular option, plan, or proposal has been eliminated, excluded, or is no longer under consideration. While its exact origin is not documented, it likely stems from the idea of removing something from the table during a discussion, emphasizing that it is no longer on the list of possibilities.

What is the origin of the idiom "off the table" and when to use it?

off the table

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The phrase "castle in the air" is an idiom that refers to a daydream or a fanciful and impractical idea or plan that is unlikely to be realized. The expression likely originated from the idea that castles, traditionally built on solid ground, cannot exist in the air or the sky, emphasizing the unrealistic nature of the described situation or aspiration.

What is the origin of the idiom "castle in the air" and when to use it?

castle in the (air|sky)

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The idiom "no-go" is an informal expression that is used to convey that a plan, idea, or situation is not possible, will not work, or is prohibited. It originates from the aviation industry, where "go" means the aircraft is cleared for takeoff.

What is the origin of the idiom "no-go" and when to use it?

no-go

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Explore English idioms that relate to impossibility, including "pie in the sky" and "cry for the moon".

Modi di dire inglesi per "Impossibilità"