Idioms are a colorful and creative part of language that allow us to say something big in just a few clever words. These expressions can turn a simple sentence into something more vivid, memorable, and even funny. One especially fun category of idioms is those that talk about things that are just never going to happen—like your cat finally doing the dishes or your little brother giving back the remote without a fight.
We use these idioms when we want to express disbelief, sarcasm, or highlight that something is so unlikely, it’s basically impossible. Instead of saying “That will never happen,” why not say “when pigs fly” or “not in a million years”? They pack more personality and punch—and they make conversations more interesting!
In this post, we’ve gathered 45 idioms that all mean something is never going to happen. You’ll find the idiom, a clear meaning, a long example sentence that shows how it’s used in everyday conversation, and a few other fun ways to say the same thing. Whether you’re writing a story, chatting with friends, or just trying to sound a little more clever, these phrases are a fun way to stretch your vocabulary and bring your speech to life.
Let’s explore some of the most popular idioms for things that are just not gonna happen—nope, not now, not ever.
Idioms for Never Going to Happen
1. When pigs fly
Meaning: Something that will never happen.
In a Sentence: My little sister says she’ll clean her room without being asked—yeah, that’ll happen when pigs fly!
Other Ways to Say: Not in a million years, Don’t hold your breath
2. Not in a million years
Meaning: Absolutely never; no chance it will happen.
In a Sentence: Not in a million years would I wear matching outfits with my dad to school—can you imagine?
Other Ways to Say: Never ever, Out of the question
3. When hell freezes over
Meaning: It will never happen, no matter what.
In a Sentence: He said he’d apologize to his rival team—maybe when hell freezes over and pigs grow wings!
Other Ways to Say: Never, That day will never come
4. Don’t hold your breath
Meaning: Don’t expect it to happen anytime soon—or at all.
In a Sentence: My friend promised he’d pay me back this week, but I’m not holding my breath after what happened last time.
Other Ways to Say: Don’t count on it, It’s not likely
5. Fat chance
Meaning: There’s a very slim or no possibility that something will happen.
In a Sentence: You think we’re getting homework canceled on a Monday? Fat chance—that’s the teacher’s favorite day to assign it!
Other Ways to Say: No way, Slim to none
6. A snowball’s chance in hell
Meaning: Almost no possibility; extremely unlikely.
In a Sentence: I have a snowball’s chance in hell of convincing my parents to let me go to a concert on a school night.
Other Ways to Say: Not gonna happen, Practically impossible
7. When chickens have teeth
Meaning: It will never happen, because it’s not even biologically possible.
In a Sentence: He’ll beat me at chess when chickens have teeth, which means I’m safe for now.
Other Ways to Say: That’s impossible, No chance at all
8. Not on your life
Meaning: Definitely not; I refuse to let that happen.
In a Sentence: Ride the rollercoaster that goes upside down? Not on your life—I’m staying right here on solid ground.
Other Ways to Say: No way, Absolutely not
9. Like herding cats
Meaning: So difficult or chaotic that it’s impossible to control or make happen.
In a Sentence: Getting my whole class to agree on one movie to watch is like herding cats—everyone wants something different and no one listens.
Other Ways to Say: Impossible to organize, Hopeless task
10. Not a snowball’s chance
Meaning: There’s no realistic chance something will work out.
In a Sentence: He thinks he’ll finish the project in one night without help? Not a snowball’s chance.
Other Ways to Say: Zero chance, No hope
11. When frogs grow hair
Meaning: Used to say something will never happen because it defies nature or logic.
In a Sentence: He says he’ll wake up early without an alarm—yeah, sure, and maybe when frogs grow hair.
Other Ways to Say: Not a chance, Impossible
12. Over my dead body
Meaning: I absolutely will not allow this to happen.
In a Sentence: You’re thinking of borrowing my favorite hoodie again? Over my dead body—it’s never coming back in one piece!
Other Ways to Say: No way, Not happening
13. More chance of winning the lottery
Meaning: The odds are so low, it’s as good as never.
In a Sentence: I have more chance of winning the lottery than getting my dog to stop chasing squirrels.
Other Ways to Say: No real chance, Highly unlikely
14. Not in this lifetime
Meaning: Definitely won’t happen now—or ever.
In a Sentence: He thinks I’ll skip my weekend nap to go hiking? Not in this lifetime, thank you very much.
Other Ways to Say: Never ever, No way
15. Might as well wish for the moon
Meaning: Wishing for something impossible or out of reach.
In a Sentence: Asking my parents for a car at my age? I might as well wish for the moon—it’s just not going to happen.
Other Ways to Say: Dream on, Keep wishing
16. That’ll be the day
Meaning: Used sarcastically to say something is very unlikely.
In a Sentence: He said he’d do the dishes without being reminded—that’ll be the day pigs fly and unicorns do cartwheels.
Other Ways to Say: Yeah right, I doubt it
17. A cold day in July
Meaning: Something so rare or impossible it’s used to mean never.
In a Sentence: You’ll see me willingly eat broccoli on a cold day in July—aka, never.
Other Ways to Say: Not ever, Never happening
18. As likely as lightning striking twice
Meaning: Extremely rare or unlikely to happen again.
In a Sentence: Me winning another video game tournament? That’s as likely as lightning striking twice—especially with my luck.
Other Ways to Say: One in a million, Very unlikely
19. In your dreams
Meaning: Used to tell someone their idea or hope is far from reality.
In a Sentence: You think the teacher’s going to cancel the test just because it’s sunny outside? In your dreams!
Other Ways to Say: Keep dreaming, Yeah right
20. Catch me doing that
Meaning: I would never do that; not a chance.
In a Sentence: Go swimming in freezing water for fun? Catch me doing that—I’d rather stay wrapped in three blankets.
Other Ways to Say: I won’t do that, No way
21. When the cows come home… and do the laundry
Meaning: Used humorously to say something will never happen, even if you wait forever.
In a Sentence: Sure, he says he’ll finally admit he was wrong—when the cows come home and do the laundry.
Other Ways to Say: Never, Don’t hold your breath
22. Not on my watch
Meaning: I won’t allow it to happen while I’m around.
In a Sentence: You think someone’s going to cheat on the group project? Not on my watch—I’m keeping tabs on everything.
Other Ways to Say: No way, I won’t allow it
23. Like trying to nail jelly to a wall
Meaning: Something impossible or pointless to even try.
In a Sentence: Getting my baby cousin to sit still for a photo is like trying to nail jelly to a wall—it’s just not going to happen.
Other Ways to Say: Totally hopeless, Can’t be done
24. Pigs might fly
Meaning: Used sarcastically to show disbelief or mock someone’s unrealistic expectation.
In a Sentence: He said he’d stop talking for a whole day—pigs might fly before that ever happens.
Other Ways to Say: Never ever, Totally unrealistic
25. You and what army?
Meaning: Said to mock someone’s ability to do something impossible or unlikely.
In a Sentence: You’re going to beat me in arm wrestling? You and what army?
Other Ways to Say: Not likely, No chance
26. Not in a blue moon
Meaning: Something that happens so rarely, it might as well be never.
In a Sentence: I go outside without checking my phone first? Not in a blue moon—it’s glued to my hand.
Other Ways to Say: Almost never, Hardly ever
27. Might as well talk to a brick wall
Meaning: It’s impossible to get through to someone, so no point in trying.
In a Sentence: Trying to get him to clean his room is like talking to a brick wall—it’s never going to sink in.
Other Ways to Say: Hopeless case, No use trying
28. The stars would have to align
Meaning: Everything would need to go perfectly, which is nearly impossible.
In a Sentence: For us to finish the group project on time, the stars would really have to align—we haven’t even started yet!
Other Ways to Say: Miraculously, Only if everything goes perfectly
29. Like waiting for rain in a drought
Meaning: Waiting for something that is unlikely or won’t happen anytime soon.
In a Sentence: Waiting for him to apologize is like waiting for rain in a drought—you’ll grow old first.
Other Ways to Say: Pointless wait, Hopeless expectation
30. Don’t bet on it
Meaning: It’s very unlikely, so don’t count on it happening.
In a Sentence: She says she’ll be ready on time for once? Don’t bet on it—I’ve heard that before.
Other Ways to Say: I wouldn’t count on it, Highly doubtful
31. That ship has sailed
Meaning: It’s too late now; the opportunity is gone forever.
In a Sentence: He thinks he can join the soccer team halfway through the season? That ship has sailed—try again next year.
Other Ways to Say: Too late, Missed the chance
32. Don’t make me laugh
Meaning: Used sarcastically when someone says something ridiculous or unbelievable.
In a Sentence: You think he’ll remember your birthday this time? Don’t make me laugh!
Other Ways to Say: That’s absurd, Not a chance
33. Yeah, and monkeys might fly out of my ear
Meaning: Used humorously to express how absurd and impossible something is.
In a Sentence: She said she’d admit she was wrong? Yeah, and monkeys might fly out of my ear while riding unicorns.
Other Ways to Say: Completely absurd, Pure fantasy
34. It’ll happen when I win an Oscar
Meaning: Saying something is so unlikely, it’s like winning a major award out of nowhere.
In a Sentence: I’ll try pineapple on pizza again when I win an Oscar—so, basically never.
Other Ways to Say: Never in this life, Not happening
35. Like finding a unicorn
Meaning: Something so rare it’s almost imaginary.
In a Sentence: Finding someone who doesn’t like pizza is like finding a unicorn—it’s practically impossible.
Other Ways to Say: Extremely rare, Unbelievable
36. Don’t waste your breath
Meaning: No point in saying something because it won’t change the outcome.
In a Sentence: Trying to convince her to stop talking in class? Don’t waste your breath—she loves the sound of her own voice.
Other Ways to Say: Don’t bother, Useless effort
37. You’ve got two hopes—Bob Hope and no hope
Meaning: A humorous way of saying there’s absolutely no chance.
In a Sentence: He thinks he’ll win the dance competition with those moves? He’s got two hopes—Bob Hope and no hope.
Other Ways to Say: Not a chance, Forget it
38. Like teaching a fish to ride a bike
Meaning: Something so impossible or silly that it can’t be taken seriously.
In a Sentence: Trying to explain logic to my dog is like teaching a fish to ride a bike—cute idea, but not gonna work.
Other Ways to Say: Ridiculous effort, Can’t be done
39. Might as well ask the moon
Meaning: The request is so big or unrealistic, it’s like asking the moon for help.
In a Sentence: Asking my teacher to cancel finals? Might as well ask the moon—it’s never going to happen.
Other Ways to Say: Wishful thinking, Unrealistic hope
40. Donkeys will dance ballet
Meaning: Used jokingly to describe an event that is impossible or laughable.
In a Sentence: He says he’ll give me the last slice of pizza—sure, and maybe donkeys will dance ballet while singing opera.
Other Ways to Say: Totally ridiculous, Never ever
41. More chance of the sun rising in the west
Meaning: Something that completely defies reality or the laws of nature.
In a Sentence: You think he’ll admit he was wrong before me? There’s more chance of the sun rising in the west.
Other Ways to Say: Never gonna happen, Impossible
42. A unicorn delivering your mail
Meaning: Used to describe an absolutely impossible scenario with humor.
In a Sentence: Sure, I’ll finish this 20-page paper in an hour—right after a unicorn delivers my mail and makes me a snack.
Other Ways to Say: That’s a fantasy, Total joke
43. You’re dreaming
Meaning: Telling someone their idea is unrealistic or absurd.
In a Sentence: You think we’ll get a day off just because it’s sunny? You’re dreaming, buddy.
Other Ways to Say: Get real, That’s not happening
44. That’s rich
Meaning: Said when someone suggests something ridiculous, often hypocritically.
In a Sentence: Oh, he says I need to be more organized? That’s rich coming from the guy who lost his backpack yesterday!
Other Ways to Say: That’s ridiculous, What a joke
45. The day I stop loving chocolate
Meaning: A personal idiom to say something will never happen.
In a Sentence: Will I ever stop loving dessert? Sure—on the day I stop loving chocolate, which is never.
Other Ways to Say: Not in this lifetime, That’ll never be me
Practice Exercise: Fill in the Blanks
Try out your idiom knowledge with this fun fill-in-the-blank practice! Use context clues to figure out which idiom fits best.
- He says he’s going to wake up without hitting snooze? Yeah right—________ fly.
- My brother said he’d stop teasing me… ________ make me laugh.
- She thinks I’ll give her my last cookie? ________ on your life.
- I’ll stop watching my favorite show the day I stop loving ________.
- He says he’ll actually do the dishes? Not happening—when hell ________ over.
- Hoping she’ll text back first is like waiting for ________ in a drought.
- Asking him to stop talking is like teaching a ________ to ride a bike.
- She says she’s going to run for class president? Don’t hold your ________.
- Think I’ll give up pizza? Maybe when the cows come home and do the ________.
- He thinks he’ll beat the top gamer in one round? He’s got two hopes—Bob Hope and ________ hope.
Answers:
pigs, don’t, not, chocolate, freezes, rain, fish, breath, laundry, no
Conclusion
Idioms add spice to our everyday language, and these expressions for things that are never going to happen are perfect for making your conversations more lively, funny, and expressive. Instead of simply saying “no,” you now have 45 colorful ways to say, “Absolutely not, not today, not ever.”
These idioms are great for both writing and speaking—especially when you want to add a little humor or sarcasm to what you’re saying. Whether you’re joking with friends, responding to impossible ideas, or just want to sound extra witty, throw a few of these into your next conversation and see how fun it can be.
Keep practicing, keep playing with words, and remember—learning idioms is like training your brain to think in metaphors. The more you use them, the more natural they’ll feel.
