If you say that something will happen when hell freezes over, you mean that it will never happen.
Cambridge Dictionary
Informal not polite used to say that something will never happen
Longman Dictionary
- The idiom “when hell freezes over” is a way of expressing extreme skepticism or doubt about the likelihood of something ever happening.
- It is often used to convey the idea that the mentioned event or circumstance is so improbable or unlikely that it would only occur in a scenario that is considered impossible.
- Essentially, it’s a colorful and emphatic way of saying that the event will never happen or that it is highly improbable.
Wie zegt dat iets zal gebeuren als Pasen en Pinksteren op één dag vallen, bedoelt dat iets nooit zal gebeuren.
Ook de variant als Pasen op een vrijdag valt komt voor.
Dat betekent eveneens ‘nooit’, want Eerste Paasdag valt altijd op een zondag.
Een synoniem van deze uitdrukkingen is met sint-juttemis.
Those who say that something will happen if Easter and Pentecost fall on the same day, mean that something will never happen.
The variant if Easter falls on a Friday also occurs.
That also means ‘never’, because Easter Sunday always falls on a Sunday.
A synonym of these expressions is ‘When hell freezes over’
The key points of the idiom “When hell freezes over” include:
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Extreme Improbability:
- The idiom is used to convey a strong sense of doubt or skepticism about the likelihood of a certain event or circumstance ever happening.
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Emphatic Denial:
- It is an emphatic way of expressing that something is so unlikely that it would only occur in a situation that is considered impossible or highly improbable.
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Colorful Language:
- The phrase uses vivid imagery to emphasize the extreme unlikelihood of the mentioned event, adding a touch of colorful language to the expression.
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Humorous Tone:
- It is often used humorously to dismiss or reject a suggestion, proposal, or idea with a touch of exaggeration.
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Metaphorical Nature:
- The idiom is metaphorical, not meant to be taken literally. It draws on the idea of hell freezing over, which is considered a supernatural and highly unlikely event.
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Negative Connotation:
- The expression carries a negative connotation, implying a strong sense of disbelief or rejection.
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Common Usage:
- “When hell freezes over” is a commonly used idiom in casual conversation, often employed to make a point about the unlikelihood of a given scenario.
- “When hell freezes over” is a commonly used idiom in casual conversation, often employed to make a point about the unlikelihood of a given scenario.
In summary, the idiom “When hell freezes over” is a vivid and emphatic way of expressing extreme doubt or skepticism, suggesting that the mentioned event is so improbable that it would only occur in a scenario considered impossible.
Ik zetje pas met sint-juttemis weer neer.
I’m not putting you down until the cows come home.
