When something is truly rare, ordinary words just don’t capture its exceptional nature. We need language that sparkles with uniqueness, expressions that convey how special and uncommon something really is. Throughout history, people have crafted colorful idioms to describe those precious moments, objects, or people that stand out from the crowd like diamonds in the rough.
Whether you’re describing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, an extraordinary talent, or a gem of a person, these 55 idioms will help you express just how rare and remarkable something truly is. Let’s explore these brilliant expressions that shine as brightly as the rare treasures they describe!
1. Once in a Blue Moon
Meaning: Something that happens very rarely or almost never.
In a Sentence: We get snow in this part of Texas once in a blue moon, so when it does fall, everyone celebrates.
Other Ways to Say: Once in a lifetime, hardly ever, few and far between
2. A Diamond in the Rough
Meaning: Someone or something with great potential or value that hasn’t been fully developed or recognized yet.
In a Sentence: The old bookstore on the corner is a diamond in the rough—most people walk right past it, but it has the best collection in the city.
Other Ways to Say: Hidden gem, unpolished gem, rough diamond
3. Needle in a Haystack
Meaning: Something extremely difficult to find because it’s so rare or well-hidden among many other things.
In a Sentence: Finding an honest mechanic in this city is like looking for a needle in a haystack.
Other Ways to Say: Like finding a four-leaf clover, extremely hard to find, nearly impossible to locate
4. Few and Far Between
Meaning: Occurring very rarely with long intervals in between.
In a Sentence: Good deals on houses in this neighborhood are few and far between these days.
Other Ways to Say: Rare as hen’s teeth, scarce, infrequent
5. Rare as Hen’s Teeth
Meaning: Extremely rare or nonexistent (since hens don’t have teeth).
In a Sentence: Honest politicians seem to be as rare as hen’s teeth nowadays.
Other Ways to Say: Rare as rocking horse droppings, scarce as hen’s teeth, practically nonexistent
6. One in a Million
Meaning: An exceptionally rare or special person or thing.
In a Sentence: My grandmother is one in a million—she’s kind, wise, and always knows exactly what to say.
Other Ways to Say: One of a kind, unique, exceptional
7. Like Gold Dust
Meaning: Extremely rare and valuable, difficult to obtain.
In a Sentence: Concert tickets for that band are like gold dust—they sold out in minutes.
Other Ways to Say: Hard to come by, precious and rare, highly sought after
8. A Rare Bird
Meaning: An unusual or remarkable person who stands out from others.
In a Sentence: Professor Martinez is a rare bird in academia—she actually makes quantum physics entertaining.
Other Ways to Say: An odd duck, a unique character, one of a kind
9. Lightning Never Strikes Twice
Meaning: Something extraordinary is unlikely to happen again in the same way.
In a Sentence: Winning the lottery once was incredible, but lightning never strikes twice, so I’m not counting on it happening again.
Other Ways to Say: Once in a lifetime, a singular event, unrepeatable
10. A Dime a Dozen (Opposite Meaning)
Meaning: While this idiom actually means common, it’s often used ironically to emphasize how something is NOT common at all.
In a Sentence: True friends aren’t a dime a dozen—they’re precious and rare.
Other Ways to Say: Not common, not easy to find, special
11. The Cream of the Crop
Meaning: The very best of a group, the rarest quality.
In a Sentence: These scholarship recipients are the cream of the crop—only five students were selected from thousands of applicants.
Other Ways to Say: The best of the best, top-tier, elite
12. A Gem of a Person
Meaning: Someone exceptionally kind, valuable, or wonderful—a rare find.
In a Sentence: Our neighbor who helped us during the storm is a gem of a person.
Other Ways to Say: A treasure, a jewel, a rare soul
13. Worth One’s Weight in Gold
Meaning: Extremely valuable and rare, impossible to replace.
In a Sentence: An experienced teacher like Mrs. Johnson is worth her weight in gold to this school.
Other Ways to Say: Invaluable, priceless, irreplaceable
14. Once in a Lifetime
Meaning: An opportunity or experience so rare it may only happen once.
In a Sentence: Seeing the Northern Lights on our trip to Iceland was a once in a lifetime experience.
Other Ways to Say: Never to be repeated, singular, unique opportunity
15. Like Finding a Four-Leaf Clover
Meaning: Discovering something exceptionally rare and lucky.
In a Sentence: Getting a parking spot right in front of the restaurant on a Saturday night was like finding a four-leaf clover.
Other Ways to Say: A lucky find, a rare stroke of luck, extremely fortunate
16. A Unicorn
Meaning: Something so rare it’s almost mythical or impossible to find (often used in business for rare startups).
In a Sentence: A startup that’s both profitable and ethical? That’s a real unicorn in today’s market.
Other Ways to Say: A mythical find, nearly impossible, extraordinarily rare
17. Scarce as Hen’s Teeth
Meaning: Extremely scarce or rare, almost impossible to find.
In a Sentence: Affordable apartments in Manhattan are scarce as hen’s teeth.
Other Ways to Say: Rare as hen’s teeth, extremely scarce, nearly nonexistent
18. A Rare Breed
Meaning: Someone with unusual qualities that make them stand out.
In a Sentence: Teachers who volunteer their weekends to help struggling students are a rare breed.
Other Ways to Say: A rare kind, uncommon type, exceptional individual
19. Like Pulling Teeth
Meaning: Something extremely difficult to obtain or make happen (emphasizing its rarity).
In a Sentence: Getting him to share personal stories is like pulling teeth—he rarely opens up.
Other Ways to Say: Nearly impossible, extremely difficult, rarely happens
20. A Black Swan
Meaning: An extremely rare and unexpected event with significant impact.
In a Sentence: The pandemic was a black swan event that nobody saw coming.
Other Ways to Say: An unexpected rarity, an outlier event, highly improbable occurrence
21. Not Grow on Trees
Meaning: Something that’s rare or hard to come by, especially regarding money or opportunities.
In a Sentence: Good jobs don’t grow on trees, so you should take this offer seriously.
Other Ways to Say: Hard to come by, not easily found, scarce
22. A Sight for Sore Eyes
Meaning: Someone or something you’re extremely happy to see because encounters are rare.
In a Sentence: After months of traveling, my childhood home was a sight for sore eyes.
Other Ways to Say: A welcome sight, a rare pleasure, a delightful surprise
23. Strikes Me as Unusual
Meaning: Something that stands out as rare or uncommon.
In a Sentence: It strikes me as unusual that such a talented artist remains undiscovered.
Other Ways to Say: Seems rare, appears uncommon, stands out as different
24. Out of the Ordinary
Meaning: Something that deviates from the normal, making it rare.
In a Sentence: Her kindness to strangers is really out of the ordinary in such a big city.
Other Ways to Say: Uncommon, unusual, exceptional
25. A Collector’s Item
Meaning: Something so rare it’s highly valued by those who appreciate it.
In a Sentence: That first edition comic book is a real collector’s item now.
Other Ways to Say: A rare find, a prized possession, hard to find
26. Against All Odds
Meaning: Something that happens despite being extremely unlikely or rare.
In a Sentence: Against all odds, they found their lost dog three states away.
Other Ways to Say: Despite the unlikelihood, rarely happens, beating the odds
27. A Drop in the Bucket
Meaning: Something so small or rare it’s insignificant compared to what’s needed.
In a Sentence: Finding one honest review among thousands of fake ones is just a drop in the bucket.
Other Ways to Say: A tiny amount, barely anything, negligible
28. Can Count on One Hand
Meaning: So rare that there are very few instances to count.
In a Sentence: I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve seen her lose her temper.
Other Ways to Say: Very few, hardly any, extremely limited
29. A Special Snowflake
Meaning: Someone or something completely unique and rare (sometimes used ironically).
In a Sentence: Her handmade pottery pieces are special snowflakes—no two are exactly alike.
Other Ways to Say: One of a kind, unique, completely individual
30. A White Crow
Meaning: Something exceptionally rare or unusual (from the Latin expression).
In a Sentence: An honest car salesman? Now that’s a white crow!
Other Ways to Say: A rare bird, an anomaly, extremely unusual
31. Comes Around Once in a While
Meaning: Happens infrequently and should be appreciated when it does.
In a Sentence: An opportunity like this only comes around once in a while, so grab it!
Other Ways to Say: Happens rarely, infrequent, occasional
32. In a Class by Itself
Meaning: So exceptional and rare that nothing else compares.
In a Sentence: Her violin playing is in a class by itself—nobody else at the competition came close.
Other Ways to Say: Unparalleled, incomparable, without equal
33. A Flash in the Pan
Meaning: Something that appears rarely and briefly, then disappears.
In a Sentence: Many thought his success was just a flash in the pan, but he’s proven them wrong.
Other Ways to Say: A brief occurrence, short-lived, fleeting
34. Not Every Day
Meaning: Something that doesn’t happen often, making it special.
In a Sentence: It’s not every day you meet someone who’s climbed Mount Everest.
Other Ways to Say: Rarely happens, uncommon, infrequent
35. As Scarce as Water in the Desert
Meaning: Extremely rare or almost impossible to find.
In a Sentence: Parking spaces downtown are as scarce as water in the desert during rush hour.
Other Ways to Say: Extremely rare, hard to find, nearly nonexistent
36. A Precious Commodity
Meaning: Something valuable because it’s rare and in high demand.
In a Sentence: Honest feedback is a precious commodity in the workplace.
Other Ways to Say: A rare resource, valuable and scarce, highly prized
37. An Endangered Species
Meaning: Something or someone that’s becoming increasingly rare.
In a Sentence: Independent bookstores are becoming an endangered species in the age of online shopping.
Other Ways to Say: Dying breed, becoming extinct, disappearing
38. A Lone Wolf
Meaning: Someone who rarely joins groups or follows the crowd, making them rare.
In a Sentence: Marcus is a lone wolf—he rarely attends company social events.
Other Ways to Say: A loner, an independent spirit, goes their own way
39. A Golden Opportunity
Meaning: A rare chance that’s extremely valuable.
In a Sentence: An internship at that company is a golden opportunity that doesn’t come along often.
Other Ways to Say: A rare chance, an exceptional opportunity, once in a lifetime
40. Like Trying to Find a Ghost
Meaning: Searching for something so rare it seems almost impossible to locate.
In a Sentence: Finding genuine vintage clothing at thrift stores these days is like trying to find a ghost.
Other Ways to Say: Nearly impossible, extremely elusive, hard to track down
41. A Shining Example
Meaning: A rare instance that perfectly represents something excellent.
In a Sentence: Her volunteer work is a shining example of true community service.
Other Ways to Say: A model case, an ideal instance, a perfect illustration
42. Stands Head and Shoulders Above
Meaning: So rare in quality that it’s clearly superior to everything else.
In a Sentence: Her presentation stood head and shoulders above the others in the conference.
Other Ways to Say: Far superior, exceptionally better, outstanding
43. A Pearl of Great Price
Meaning: Something extremely rare and valuable that’s worth any sacrifice to obtain.
In a Sentence: True wisdom is a pearl of great price in today’s information-overloaded world.
Other Ways to Say: Invaluable treasure, priceless gem, rare treasure
44. Happens Once in a Great While
Meaning: Occurs very infrequently with long periods between instances.
In a Sentence: We only get together as a whole family once in a great while now that everyone’s scattered across the country.
Other Ways to Say: Very rarely, infrequently, seldom
45. A Breath of Fresh Air
Meaning: Someone or something rare that’s refreshingly different from the norm.
In a Sentence: Her honest approach to leadership is a breath of fresh air in corporate culture.
Other Ways to Say: Refreshingly different, a welcome change, pleasantly unusual
46. The Exception That Proves the Rule
Meaning: A rare case that actually confirms how uncommon something is.
In a Sentence: His success without a college degree is the exception that proves the rule.
Other Ways to Say: A rare case, an outlier, an unusual instance
47. A Rare Treat
Meaning: Something special and uncommon that’s particularly enjoyable.
In a Sentence: Having my grandmother’s homemade cookies is a rare treat now that she lives so far away.
Other Ways to Say: A special pleasure, an uncommon delight, a precious experience
48. Not in a Month of Sundays
Meaning: Something that will never or very rarely happen.
In a Sentence: You won’t find a better deal than this in a month of Sundays.
Other Ways to Say: Extremely unlikely, virtually never, highly improbable
49. A Singular Event
Meaning: Something so rare and unique it stands alone.
In a Sentence: The total solar eclipse visible from our town was a singular event we’ll never forget.
Other Ways to Say: A unique occurrence, one-time event, unprecedented
50. Precious Few
Meaning: Very few in number, emphasizing rarity.
In a Sentence: There are precious few people I trust with my deepest secrets.
Other Ways to Say: Very few, hardly any, scarce
51. A Rare Gem
Meaning: Something or someone exceptionally valuable and uncommon.
In a Sentence: This restaurant is a rare gem—authentic food, reasonable prices, and amazing service.
Other Ways to Say: A hidden treasure, a precious find, a special discovery
52. Strikes Like Lightning
Meaning: Happens suddenly and rarely, with significant impact.
In a Sentence: True inspiration strikes like lightning—you can’t force it, only be ready when it comes.
Other Ways to Say: Happens suddenly and rarely, comes unexpectedly, occurs sporadically
53. A Rarity
Meaning: Something that’s simply uncommon or not often encountered.
In a Sentence: A politician who keeps their campaign promises is a rarity these days.
Other Ways to Say: An uncommon thing, not often seen, unusual
54. Thin on the Ground
Meaning: Scarce or present in very small numbers.
In a Sentence: Affordable housing options are pretty thin on the ground in this neighborhood.
Other Ways to Say: Scarce, in short supply, hard to find
55. Like Spotting a Shooting Star
Meaning: Witnessing something so rare and fleeting it feels magical.
In a Sentence: Catching a glimpse of the celebrity in person was like spotting a shooting star—brief but unforgettable.
Other Ways to Say: A rare sighting, a fleeting moment, a magical occurrence
Quiz: Test Your Knowledge of Idioms for Rare
Question 1: What does the idiom “once in a blue moon” mean?
A) Something that happens every month
B) Something that happens very rarely or almost never
C) Something related to the color blue
D) Something that happens during a full moon
Answer: B) Something that happens very rarely or almost never
Question 2: Which idiom refers to someone with great potential that hasn’t been fully recognized yet?
A) A rare bird
B) A diamond in the rough
C) A flash in the pan
D) A lone wolf
Answer: B) A diamond in the rough
Question 3: What does “needle in a haystack” describe?
A) Something easy to find
B) A farming tool
C) Something extremely difficult to find because it’s so rare
D) A common occurrence
Answer: C) Something extremely difficult to find because it’s so rare
Question 4: Why is something described as “rare as hen’s teeth”?
A) Because hen’s teeth are very small
B) Because hens have beautiful teeth
C) Because hens don’t have teeth, making it extremely rare or nonexistent
D) Because hen’s teeth are expensive
Answer: C) Because hens don’t have teeth, making it extremely rare or nonexistent
Question 5: What does “one in a million” mean?
A) A mathematical calculation
B) An exceptionally rare or special person or thing
C) Something that costs a million dollars
D) A lottery number
Answer: B) An exceptionally rare or special person or thing
Question 6: If something is described as “like gold dust,” what does that mean?
A) It’s made of gold
B) It’s dirty and dusty
C) It’s extremely rare and valuable, difficult to obtain
D) It’s yellow in color
Answer: C) It’s extremely rare and valuable, difficult to obtain
Question 7: What is “a rare bird”?
A) An endangered animal species
B) An unusual or remarkable person who stands out from others
C) A bird that only flies at night
D) A type of chicken
Answer: B) An unusual or remarkable person who stands out from others
Question 8: What does the phrase “lightning never strikes twice” suggest?
A) Lightning is predictable
B) Something extraordinary is unlikely to happen again in the same way
C) Lightning always strikes the same place
D) Electrical storms are rare
Answer: B) Something extraordinary is unlikely to happen again in the same way
Question 9: What does “the cream of the crop” refer to?
A) Dairy products from farms
B) The very best of a group, the rarest quality
C) Agricultural techniques
D) A type of dessert
Answer: B) The very best of a group, the rarest quality
Question 10: If someone is “worth their weight in gold,” what does that mean?
A) They are overweight
B) They are wealthy
C) They are extremely valuable and rare, impossible to replace
D) They work in jewelry
Answer: C) They are extremely valuable and rare, impossible to replace
Question 11: What is a “once in a lifetime” experience?
A) Something that happens every year
B) An opportunity or experience so rare it may only happen once
C) A birthday celebration
D) A daily routine
Answer: B) An opportunity or experience so rare it may only happen once
Question 12: In modern business terminology, what is “a unicorn”?
A) A mythical horse with a horn
B) Something so rare it’s almost mythical or impossible to find
C) A children’s toy
D) A type of investment
Answer: B) Something so rare it’s almost mythical or impossible to find
Question 13: What does “a black swan” represent?
A) A bird found in Australia
B) An extremely rare and unexpected event with significant impact
C) A dark prediction
D) A common occurrence
Answer: B) An extremely rare and unexpected event with significant impact
Question 14: What does it mean when something “doesn’t grow on trees”?
A) It’s made of wood
B) It’s rare or hard to come by
C) It needs to be planted
D) It’s organic
Answer: B) It’s rare or hard to come by
Question 15: If you can “count on one hand” how many times something happened, what does that indicate?
A) You need to use your fingers
B) It’s very common
C) It’s so rare there are very few instances to count
D) You’re good at math
Answer: C) It’s so rare there are very few instances to count
Question 16: What does “few and far between” mean?
A) Things that are close together
B) Occurring very rarely with long intervals in between
C) A small distance
D) A measurement system
Answer: B) Occurring very rarely with long intervals in between
Question 17: What is “a collector’s item”?
A) Something children collect
B) A hobby supply
C) Something so rare it’s highly valued by those who appreciate it
D) A storage container
Answer: C) Something so rare it’s highly valued by those who appreciate it
Question 18: What does “against all odds” mean?
A) Mathematical probability
B) Something that happens despite being extremely unlikely or rare
C) Gambling terminology
D) A sports competition
Answer: B) Something that happens despite being extremely unlikely or rare
Question 19: If something is “in a class by itself,” what does that mean?
A) It’s taking lessons alone
B) It’s in school
C) It’s so exceptional and rare that nothing else compares
D) It’s isolated
Answer: C) It’s so exceptional and rare that nothing else compares
Question 20: What is “a flash in the pan”?
A) A cooking accident
B) Something that appears rarely and briefly, then disappears
C) A camera flash
D) A kitchen utensil
Answer: B) Something that appears rarely and briefly, then disappears
Question 21: What does “not every day” suggest about something?
A) It happens on weekends only
B) It doesn’t happen often, making it special
C) It happens monthly
D) It’s a daily occurrence
Answer: B) It doesn’t happen often, making it special
Question 22: What is “a precious commodity”?
A) An expensive product
B) Something valuable because it’s rare and in high demand
C) A type of currency
D) A luxury item
Answer: B) Something valuable because it’s rare and in high demand
Question 23: What does “an endangered species” metaphorically refer to?
A) Animals in the wild
B) Something or someone that’s becoming increasingly rare
C) Environmental protection
D) Zoo animals
Answer: B) Something or someone that’s becoming increasingly rare
Question 24: What is “a golden opportunity”?
A) A chance to find gold
B) A rare chance that’s extremely valuable
C) A business venture
D) A yellow object
Answer: B) A rare chance that’s extremely valuable
Question 25: What does “a breath of fresh air” describe?
A) Good weather
B) Someone or something rare that’s refreshingly different from the norm
C) Air conditioning
D) Outdoor activities
Answer: B) Someone or something rare that’s refreshingly different from the norm
Question 26: What does “the exception that proves the rule” mean?
A) A legal principle
B) A rare case that actually confirms how uncommon something is
C) A grammar rule
D) A common example
Answer: B) A rare case that actually confirms how uncommon something is
Question 27: What does “not in a month of Sundays” suggest?
A) Something happens every Sunday
B) A calendar reference
C) Something that will never or very rarely happen
D) A religious observance
Answer: C) Something that will never or very rarely happen
Question 28: What are “precious few”?
A) Expensive items
B) Very few in number, emphasizing rarity
C) Valuable jewels
D) Small children
Answer: B) Very few in number, emphasizing rarity
Question 29: What does “thin on the ground” mean?
A) Not much soil
B) Scarce or present in very small numbers
C) A thin layer
D) Ground level
Answer: B) Scarce or present in very small numbers
Question 30: What does “like spotting a shooting star” represent?
A) Astronomy observations
B) Witnessing something so rare and fleeting it feels magical
C) Nighttime activities
D) A wish come true
Answer: B) Witnessing something so rare and fleeting it feels magical
These 55 idioms give you a treasure trove of ways to express rarity in all its forms. Whether you’re describing a person who’s one in a million, an opportunity that comes once in a blue moon, or an experience as rare as hen’s teeth, you now have the perfect phrase to capture just how special and uncommon something truly is.
Language becomes richer when we use these colorful expressions, helping us paint vivid pictures of the extraordinary moments and treasures we encounter in life!
Tony James is a skilled writer with over 5 years of experience specializing in the “noun” niche. He delves deep into the intricacies of language, exploring the significance and usage of nouns in everyday communication. Tony’s work simplifies complex linguistic concepts, making them accessible and engaging for readers of all backgrounds.