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Certainty & Possibility - Impossibility

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

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English idioms related to Certainty & Possibility
{not|never} in a (thousand|million|billion) years

used to say that the chances of something happening or being true are very slim

Ex: That cat is never in a million years going to accept the new puppy.
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a snowball's chance in hell

the slightest chance of something happening or being true

Ex: Attempting to negotiate with that unreasonable landlord was like expecting a snowball's chance in hell of success.
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a trip to the sun

something that seems impossible to occur

Ex: Suggesting a picnic in the middle of a thunderstorm was considered the equivalent of planning a trip to the sun in terms of impracticality.
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for love (or|nor) money

used to refer to something that cannot be done or obtained in any way

Ex: I can’t get hold of that book for love nor money.
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pie in the sky

something that is very good or desirable but highly unlikely to happen or be real

Ex: She had a habit of making pie-in-the-sky plans that never came to fruition, leaving her friends feeling skeptical about her goals.
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by (any|no) stretch (of the imagination|)

used to refer to something that is impossible or is extremely hard to imagine or obtain

Ex: Her artistic abilities are exceptional, and by any stretch of the imagination, she's a talented painter.
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no way
no way
[phrase]

used to indicate that something is impossible, unacceptable, or absolutely will not happen under any conditions

Ex: They'll no way finish the project by Friday without help.
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(the|that) ship has (long|) sailed

used to say that an offer or possibility is not renewable or available any more

Ex: He thought about confessing his feelings, but now she's in a committed relationship with someone else; the ship has sailed on that romance.
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to ill afford {sth}

to be unable to do or finish something without being harmed or suffering its consequences

Ex: He had a tight schedule and could ill afford any distractions if he wanted to meet his deadlines.
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point of no return

the time when it becomes impossible for one to return to a previous place or state or to make a different decision

Ex: Accepting the job offer meant relocating to a new city, marking the point of no return in her career.
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out of the question

not allowed or possible

Ex: Considering his severe allergies, having a pet with fur was out of the question for him.
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when chickens have teeth

said to mean that it is impossible for something to ever happen

Ex: The odds of winning the lottery are as slim as chickens growing teeth, but people still play in hopes of hitting the jackpot.
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when hell freezes over

used to express disbelief in something happening

Ex: The odds of winning the lottery are as slim as hell freezing over, but people still play in hopes of hitting the jackpot.
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cold day in hell

used for saying that it is completely unlikely that something ever happens

Ex: The likelihood of her adopting a cat, despite being allergic to them, is as remote as a cold day in hell.
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when two Sundays meet

used to say that one thinks that something will never happen

Ex: The odds of winning the lottery twice in a row are as slim as when two Sundays come together; it's practically impossible.
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over {one's} dead (body|corpse)

used to show that one will do whatever one can to stop something from happening

Ex: She moves into our home over my dead body.
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to [cry] for the moon

to desire what cannot be achieved

Ex: Hoping for a complete overhaul of the healthcare system without any financial consequences is like crying for the moon; it's a complex issue with no easy solution.
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off the table

(of a proposal, topic, or offer) unavailable or incapable of being considered

Ex: After the latest developments, the deal is officially off the table.
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castle in the (air|sky)

a hope or wish that cannot be realized or fulfilled

Ex: Hoping to become a famous singer without singing a note is like building a castle in the air; it requires hard work and dedication.
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no-go
no-go
[Adjective]

used to emphasize that something is completely impossible or prohibited

Ex: After hearing about the new policy, smoking in the building is a definite no go.
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