45 Idioms for Never Going to Happen

When something is so unlikely that it feels impossible, we often turn to colorful idioms to express just how far-fetched it is. Instead of simply saying “That’s never going to happen,” people use witty and memorable expressions.

These idioms not only make the conversation more fun but also capture the frustration or humor of the moment. Let’s explore 45 popular idioms that all mean the same thing—something is never going to happen.

1. When Pigs Fly

• Meaning: Something absurd or impossible that will never occur.
• In a Sentence: “Sure, he’ll clean his room when pigs fly.”
• Other Ways to Say: Over my dead body, not in this lifetime, snowball’s chance in hell.

2. Once in a Blue Moon

• Meaning: Something so rare that it’s practically never.
• In a Sentence: “He only calls me once in a blue moon.”
• Other Ways to Say: Hardly ever, scarcely, rarely if ever.

3. Not in a Million Years

• Meaning: Something that won’t happen no matter how much time passes.
• In a Sentence: “She’ll date him not in a million years.”
• Other Ways to Say: Never ever, absolutely not, no way.

4. When Hell Freezes Over

• Meaning: An event that’s so impossible it will never occur.
• In a Sentence: “I’ll apologize to him when hell freezes over.”
• Other Ways to Say: Fat chance, not on your life, dream on.

5. A Cold Day in July

• Meaning: Something that contradicts normal reality, making it impossible.
• In a Sentence: “It’ll be a cold day in July before she forgives him.”
• Other Ways to Say: When pigs fly, never in a thousand years, impossible dream.

6. A Snowball’s Chance in Hell

• Meaning: Having absolutely no chance of happening or succeeding.
• In a Sentence: “That team has a snowball’s chance in hell of winning.”
• Other Ways to Say: Hopeless cause, zero chance, not happening.

7. Not in This Lifetime

• Meaning: A refusal suggesting it will never happen during one’s life.
• In a Sentence: “You’ll get my secret recipe not in this lifetime.”
• Other Ways to Say: Over my dead body, forget it, not gonna happen.

8. Over My Dead Body

• Meaning: Strong refusal, insisting something will never be allowed.
• In a Sentence: “You’ll drive my car over my dead body.”
• Other Ways to Say: Not in a million years, dream on, fat chance.

9. Fat Chance

• Meaning: Sarcastic way of saying there’s no chance at all.
• In a Sentence: “Fat chance he’ll lend you money again.”
• Other Ways to Say: Slim to none, no way, not a hope.

10. Not a Chance

• Meaning: Directly stating there’s no possibility.
• In a Sentence: “Not a chance she’s going to the dance with him.”
• Other Ways to Say: Never ever, fat chance, don’t count on it.

11. Don’t Hold Your Breath

• Meaning: Telling someone not to expect something anytime soon—or ever.
• In a Sentence: “He promised to fix it, but don’t hold your breath.”
• Other Ways to Say: Don’t count on it, good luck with that, unlikely story.

12. Like Finding a Needle in a Haystack

• Meaning: Something so difficult it’s nearly impossible.
• In a Sentence: “Finding that missing earring is like finding a needle in a haystack.”
• Other Ways to Say: Long shot, impossible task, no hope.

13. Not a Snowball’s Chance

• Meaning: Shortened form of the snowball idiom, still meaning no chance at all.
• In a Sentence: “He’s got not a snowball’s chance of winning that award.”
• Other Ways to Say: Hopeless case, fat chance, zero chance.

14. No Way, José

• Meaning: Informal refusal, saying it’s not happening.
• In a Sentence: “Can I borrow your car? No way, José!”
• Other Ways to Say: Forget it, not on your life, over my dead body.

15. That’ll Be the Day

• Meaning: Expressing disbelief that something will ever happen.
• In a Sentence: “You’ll quit smoking? That’ll be the day.”
• Other Ways to Say: I’ll believe it when I see it, fat chance, dream on.

16. I’ll Believe It When I See It

• Meaning: Doubting something will ever happen until there’s proof.
• In a Sentence: “He says he’s getting a job—I’ll believe it when I see it.”
• Other Ways to Say: Doubtful, unlikely, seeing is believing.

17. Not on Your Life

• Meaning: Firm refusal, as if your life depends on it.
• In a Sentence: “Would you betray her trust? Not on your life.”
• Other Ways to Say: Over my dead body, no way, never ever.

18. Out of the Question

• Meaning: Something absolutely impossible or not allowed.
• In a Sentence: “Going on that trip is out of the question right now.”
• Other Ways to Say: No chance, not happening, impossible.

19. Not a Hope in Hell

• Meaning: Emphasizing that there’s absolutely no chance.
• In a Sentence: “He’s got not a hope in hell of winning.”
• Other Ways to Say: Snowball’s chance in hell, zero chance, fat chance.

20. The Odds Are Slim to None

• Meaning: Probability is so low that it’s nearly impossible.
• In a Sentence: “The odds are slim to none that we’ll find parking.”
• Other Ways to Say: Not likely, fat chance, hardly possible.

21. Dream On

• Meaning: Sarcastically telling someone their hope is unrealistic.
• In a Sentence: “You think you’ll be rich overnight? Dream on.”
• Other Ways to Say: Keep wishing, fat chance, not happening.

22. Not in a Thousand Years

• Meaning: Suggesting something is so unlikely it’ll never happen.
• In a Sentence: “She’ll forgive you not in a thousand years.”
• Other Ways to Say: Not in a million years, over my dead body, no chance.

23. A Fat Lot of Good That Will Do

• Meaning: Suggesting something will never be useful or effective.
• In a Sentence: “Asking him for advice—a fat lot of good that’ll do.”
• Other Ways to Say: Useless, won’t help, waste of time.

24. Not Worth a Fig

• Meaning: Indicating that something has no value and won’t work.
• In a Sentence: “His promises aren’t worth a fig.”
• Other Ways to Say: Meaningless, useless, worth nothing.

25. Chance Would Be a Fine Thing

• Meaning: Wishing for something unlikely or impossible.
• In a Sentence: “A holiday abroad? Chance would be a fine thing.”
• Other Ways to Say: If only, fat chance, wishful thinking.

26. More Chance of Winning the Lottery

• Meaning: Comparing something impossible to winning the lottery.
• In a Sentence: “You’ve got more chance of winning the lottery than changing his mind.”
• Other Ways to Say: Slim to none, long shot, not happening.

27. About as Likely as the Sun Rising in the West

• Meaning: Comparing something impossible to a natural law being broken.
• In a Sentence: “He’ll apologize? That’s about as likely as the sun rising in the west.”
• Other Ways to Say: Not in this lifetime, fat chance, never ever.

28. Like Getting Blood from a Stone

• Meaning: Suggesting something is so difficult it’s nearly impossible.
• In a Sentence: “Getting him to admit he’s wrong is like getting blood from a stone.”
• Other Ways to Say: Hopeless task, fat chance, waste of effort.

29. A Fool’s Errand

• Meaning: A task that’s pointless and impossible to succeed at.
• In a Sentence: “Searching for that old document was a fool’s errand.”
• Other Ways to Say: Hopeless task, chasing shadows, wild goose chase.

30. Wild Goose Chase

• Meaning: A pointless search for something impossible to find.
• In a Sentence: “Looking for her in that crowd was a wild goose chase.”
• Other Ways to Say: Fool’s errand, needle in a haystack, hopeless search.

31. Like Herding Cats

• Meaning: Describing something so chaotic it feels impossible to control.
• In a Sentence: “Getting those kids organized is like herding cats.”
• Other Ways to Say: Hopeless effort, impossible task, waste of time.

32. Might as Well Wish for the Moon

• Meaning: Wanting something impossible, as if asking for the moon.
• In a Sentence: “You want him to be perfect? Might as well wish for the moon.”
• Other Ways to Say: Wishful thinking, impossible dream, fat chance.

33. A Castle in the Air

• Meaning: A dream or plan that’s impossible to achieve.
• In a Sentence: “His business idea was just a castle in the air.”
• Other Ways to Say: Pipe dream, fantasy, impossible vision.

34. Pipe Dream

• Meaning: A fantastic idea that’s unrealistic and unachievable.
• In a Sentence: “Becoming a billionaire overnight is a pipe dream.”
• Other Ways to Say: Castle in the air, wishful thinking, impossible dream.

35. Whistling in the Wind

• Meaning: Making an effort that will never achieve results.
• In a Sentence: “Trying to change his mind is just whistling in the wind.”
• Other Ways to Say: Pointless effort, waste of time, no chance.

36. Talking to a Brick Wall

• Meaning: Communicating with someone who will never listen or respond.
• In a Sentence: “Convincing him is like talking to a brick wall.”
• Other Ways to Say: Waste of breath, hopeless task, no use.

37. Not Going to Happen

• Meaning: Simple phrase for refusing something as impossible.
• In a Sentence: “You want a raise? Not going to happen.”
• Other Ways to Say: Forget it, over my dead body, dream on.

38. No Chance in a Million

• Meaning: Stressing that something will never take place.
• In a Sentence: “He’s got no chance in a million of finishing first.”
• Other Ways to Say: Zero chance, slim to none, not happening.

39. Dead as a Dodo

• Meaning: Something long gone or never coming back.
• In a Sentence: “That fashion trend is dead as a dodo.”
• Other Ways to Say: Finished, extinct, long gone.

40. Might as Well Try to Stop the Tide

• Meaning: Attempting something that’s impossible to prevent.
• In a Sentence: “Stopping progress is like trying to stop the tide.”
• Other Ways to Say: Hopeless effort, pointless struggle, futile attempt.

41. More Likely to See a Unicorn

• Meaning: Saying something is impossible by comparing it to spotting a mythical creature.
• In a Sentence: “You’ll get him to wake up early? More likely to see a unicorn.”
• Other Ways to Say: Never ever, fat chance, dream on.

42. Not in the Cards

• Meaning: Suggesting fate won’t allow it to happen.
• In a Sentence: “Success in that deal just wasn’t in the cards.”
• Other Ways to Say: Not meant to be, doomed, impossible.

43. The Writing’s on the Wall

• Meaning: Clear evidence something is doomed or will never succeed.
• In a Sentence: “The writing’s on the wall—his plan will never work.”
• Other Ways to Say: Signs are clear, doomed to fail, inevitable.

44. Might as Well Talk to the Wind

• Meaning: Trying to get results when none will come.
• In a Sentence: “Convincing her is like talking to the wind.”
• Other Ways to Say: Waste of time, pointless, hopeless.

45. Never in a Month of Sundays

• Meaning: Something so impossible it would never happen, even with endless time.
• In a Sentence: “He’d help you? Never in a month of Sundays.”
• Other Ways to Say: Not in a million years, fat chance, dream on.

Quiz on Idioms for Never Going to Happen

1. What does the idiom “When pigs fly” mean?

a) Something very common
b) Something rare but possible
c) Something that will never happen
d) Something expensive

Answer: c) Something that will never happen

2. Which idiom suggests an event so rare it almost never happens?

a) Once in a blue moon
b) Over my dead body
c) Fat chance
d) Not in this lifetime

Answer: a) Once in a blue moon

3. If someone says “Not in a million years,” they mean:

a) It will happen eventually
b) It’s highly unlikely
c) It will never happen
d) It might happen tomorrow

Answer: c) It will never happen

4. “When hell freezes over” is used to describe:

a) Something that happens in cold weather
b) A rare but possible event
c) Something impossible
d) A miracle happening

Answer: c) Something impossible

5. Which idiom means trying to achieve the impossible, like attempting to get blood from a stone?

a) Pipe dream
b) Fool’s errand
c) Like getting blood from a stone
d) Dream on

Answer: c) Like getting blood from a stone

6. If someone replies “Over my dead body,” what are they expressing?

a) They’ll think about it later
b) They strongly refuse and will never allow it
c) They might allow it after some time
d) They want to negotiate

Answer: b) They strongly refuse and will never allow it

7. What does the idiom “Don’t hold your breath” suggest?

a) Be prepared for a quick result
b) Don’t expect it to happen anytime soon, or ever
c) Something might happen very soon
d) Keep waiting patiently

Answer: b) Don’t expect it to happen anytime soon, or ever

8. “A snowball’s chance in hell” means:

a) A small but possible chance
b) No chance at all
c) A hot situation
d) Something very easy

Answer: b) No chance at all

9. Which idiom compares impossibility to an unrealistic wish, like asking for the moon?

a) Fool’s errand
b) Might as well wish for the moon
c) Not in the cards
d) Fat chance

Answer: b) Might as well wish for the moon

10. If someone says “Never in a month of Sundays,” they mean:

a) It happens only on Sundays
b) It will never happen, no matter how much time passes
c) It could happen after a long time
d) It happens regularly

Answer: b) It will never happen, no matter how much time passes

11. Which idiom means a pointless effort, often compared to chasing something that doesn’t exist?

a) Wild goose chase
b) Talking to the wind
c) Pipe dream
d) Slim to none

Answer: a) Wild goose chase

12. “The writing’s on the wall” suggests:

a) A hidden opportunity
b) Clear signs of failure or impossibility
c) Something exciting is about to happen
d) A big surprise is coming

Answer: b) Clear signs of failure or impossibility

13. Which idiom expresses the same meaning as “slim to none”?

a) Not on your life
b) Don’t hold your breath
c) Fat chance
d) More chance of winning the lottery

Answer: c) Fat chance

14. If someone says “That’ll be the day,” what are they implying?

a) They’re excited about the day
b) They strongly believe it will happen
c) They doubt it will ever happen
d) They’re hopeful

Answer: c) They doubt it will ever happen

15. Which idiom suggests talking to someone stubborn who will never listen?

a) Talking to a brick wall
b) Pipe dream
c) Whistling in the wind
d) Not in a million years

Answer: a) Talking to a brick wall

Wrap Up

Learning fun phrases helps you express impossibility in colorful ways. Instead of saying something will “never” occur, you can choose from dozens of witty expressions. From when pigs fly to a snowball’s chance in hell, these idioms add humor and impact to everyday conversations. They make your language feel more alive and memorable.

So next time you want to stress that something is impossible, you won’t run out of choices. These 45 idioms for never going to happen give you playful, sharp, and relatable ways to say it. Try slipping a few into your chats and watch how they bring your words to life.

FAQ’s

Which idiom means “it will never happen”?

The idiom “When pigs fly” is the most common way to say something will never happen. It paints an impossible picture to stress zero chance.

What is a word for never going to happen?

The single word impossible works best. You can also use synonyms like unrealistic, hopeless, or unattainable depending on context.

What is an idiom for “never”?

Idioms like “Not in a million years” or “When hell freezes over” both capture the sense of something never happening.

What does never going to happen mean?

It means the event has no chance of taking place, no matter how much time passes or effort is made.

Is that’s life an idiom?

Yes, “That’s life” is an idiom. It’s used to accept disappointments or explain that some things are simply out of our control.

When crows turn white idiom?

This phrase means the same as “never.” It compares impossibility to crows changing color, which naturally can’t happen.

What is the idiom for late never?

The idiom “Better late than never” means doing something late is better than not doing it at all.

Have a snowball’s chance?

If someone has “a snowball’s chance in hell,” it means they have no chance whatsoever of success.

What are 5 idioms with their meaning?

1. When pigs fly – never happening.
2. Once in a blue moon – very rare.
3. Better late than never – late is better than not at all.
4. Burning the midnight oil – working late at night.
5. Hit the sack – go to sleep.

What is the idiom for that doesn’t happen very often?

The idiom “Once in a blue moon” describes something that happens very rarely.

What refers to an event which will never happen?

Idioms like “When pigs fly” or “Not in this lifetime” refer to events that will never occur.

When pigs fly idiom meaning?

It means something is impossible and will never happen in reality.

When pigs fly sayings?

Common sayings include “Sure, he’ll help you when pigs fly” or “I’ll trust him again when pigs fly.”

Is “such is life” an idiom?

Yes, “Such is life” is an idiom that accepts disappointments or bad outcomes as part of reality.

Is “all the time” an idiom?

Yes, “All the time” is an idiomatic expression meaning constantly or very frequently.

What are phrasal idioms?

Phrasal idioms are fixed phrases built from verbs plus prepositions or adverbs, like “give up” (quit) or “look after” (take care of).