Sometimes, a situation is so unlikely that a simple word like “impossible” doesn’t do it justice. When you need to express that something is not going to come true, a blunter term lacks the witty flair to get the point across.
This article is your new reality check for language. We’ve compiled a unique collection of Idioms for Never Going to Happen, phrases that will help you articulate futility, failure, and empty promises in a way that is both precise and colorful. It’s time to make your stories about the improbable more convincing than a fantasy.
Best Idioms for Never Going to Happen
1. When Pigs Fly
Meaning: Something that is never going to happen, as pigs cannot fly.
In a Sentence:
He’ll finish his work on time when pigs fly.
Her agreeing to that plan? It’ll happen when pigs fly.
Other Ways to Say: Never, Impossible, Not a chance
2. Over My Dead Body
Meaning: Absolutely never going to happen, only if I’m dead.
In a Sentence:
You’ll take my place over my dead body.
She said, “Over my dead body,” so it’s never going to happen.
Other Ways to Say: No way, Never, Out of the question
3. Not in a Million Years
Meaning: Never going to happen, even in an impossibly long time.
In a Sentence:
I’d never agree to that, not in a million years.
He won’t change his mind, not in a million years.
Other Ways to Say: Never ever, Impossible, No chance
4. When Hell Freezes Over
Meaning: Never going to happen, as hell will never freeze.
In a Sentence:
She’ll forgive him when hell freezes over.
He’ll admit he’s wrong? When hell freezes over.
Other Ways to Say: Never, Not a chance, Impossible
5. A Snowball’s Chance in Hell
Meaning: No chance at all, like a snowball surviving in hell, never going to happen.
In a Sentence:
He has a snowball’s chance in hell of winning.
Her plan is a snowball’s chance in hell, never going to happen.
Other Ways to Say: No chance, Impossible odds, Hopeless
6. Not on Your Life
Meaning: Absolutely never going to happen, no matter what.
In a Sentence:
Lend him my car? Not on your life!
She said, “Not on your life,” so it’s never going to happen.
Other Ways to Say: No way, Never, Out of the question
7. Never in a Month of Sundays
Meaning: Never going to happen, even in an impossibly long time.
In a Sentence:
He’ll finish that book in a month of Sundays, never.
She won’t agree, not in a month of Sundays.
Other Ways to Say: Never ever, Not in a lifetime, Impossible
8. Don’t Hold Your Breath
Meaning: Don’t expect it, as it’s never going to happen.
In a Sentence:
Don’t hold your breath for his apology; it’s never going to happen.
She won’t change—don’t hold your breath.
Other Ways to Say: Don’t expect it, Never happening, Forget it
9. When the Cows Come Home
Meaning: Never or for an indefinite long time, as cows don’t rush home.
In a Sentence:
He’ll show up on time when the cows come home.
She’ll wait till the cows come home, but it’s never going to happen.
Other Ways to Say: Never, Forever, Indefinitely
10. Not in This Lifetime
Meaning: Never going to happen, not within one’s life.
In a Sentence:
I’ll never forgive him, not in this lifetime.
She won’t try that again, not in this lifetime.
Other Ways to Say: Never ever, Not ever, Impossible
11. Cold Day in Hell
Meaning: Never going to happen, as hell will never be cold.
In a Sentence:
It’ll be a cold day in hell before he apologizes.
She’ll agree on a cold day in hell, never going to happen.
Other Ways to Say: Never, Impossible, No way
12. Not a Cat in Hell’s Chance
Meaning: Absolutely no possibility, like a cat surviving in hell.
In a Sentence:
He hasn’t a cat in hell’s chance of succeeding.
Her plan has a cat in hell’s chance, never going to happen.
Other Ways to Say: No chance, Impossible, Hopeless
13. When the Sun Rises in the West
Meaning: Never going to happen, as the sun will never rise in the west.
In a Sentence:
He’ll admit defeat when the sun rises in the west.
She’ll change her mind when the sun rises in the west.
Other Ways to Say: Never, Impossible, Not happening
14. Not a Chance in Hell
Meaning: No possibility at all, like a chance in hell.
In a Sentence:
There’s not a chance in hell he’ll show up on time.
She has not a chance in hell of winning.
Other Ways to Say: No way, Impossible, Hopeless
15. When the Moon Turns to Cheese
Meaning: Never going to happen, as the moon will never be cheese.
In a Sentence:
He’ll help out when the moon turns to cheese.
She’ll agree when the moon turns to cheese, never.
Other Ways to Say: Never, Impossible, Not a chance
Related Post: 50 Idioms for Motivation and Positive Energy
16. Not a Hope in Hell
Meaning: No possibility at all, like hoping in hell.
In a Sentence:
There’s not a hope in hell he’ll apologize.
Her plan has not a hope in hell, never going to happen.
Other Ways to Say: No chance, Impossible, Hopeless
17. When the World Stops Spinning
Meaning: Never going to happen, as the world will never stop spinning.
In a Sentence:
He’ll change when the world stops spinning, never.
She’ll agree when the world stops spinning.
Other Ways to Say: Never, Impossible, Not happening
18. Not a Ghost of a Chance
Meaning: No possibility at all, like a ghost’s fleeting presence.
In a Sentence:
He hasn’t a ghost of a chance of winning.
Her idea has a ghost of a chance; never going to happen.
Other Ways to Say: No chance, Impossible, Hopeless
19. When the Stars Fall
Meaning: Never going to happen, as stars will never fall from the sky.
In a Sentence:
She’ll agree when the stars fall.
He’ll give up when the stars fall, not sooner.
Other Ways to Say: Never, Impossible, No way
20. When the Sea Dries Up
Meaning: Never going to happen, as the sea will never dry up.
In a Sentence:
He’ll help when the sea dries up, never.
She’ll forgive when the sea dries up.
Other Ways to Say: Never, Impossible, Not happening
21. Not in a Thousand Years
Meaning: Never going to happen, even in an impossibly long time.
In a Sentence:
I’d never do that, not in a thousand years.
She won’t forgive him, not in a thousand years.
Other Ways to Say: Never ever, Impossible, Out of the question
22. Like Getting Blood from a Stone
Meaning: Nearly impossible, like never getting something from a stone.
In a Sentence:
Getting his help is like getting blood from a stone; it’s never going to happen.
Her cooperation is like getting blood from a stone—never.
Other Ways to Say: Impossible, Hopeless, Futile
23. Bark at the Moon
Meaning: To pursue something futile, like a dog barking at the moon, never succeeding.
In a Sentence:
Arguing with him is like barking at the moon; it’s never going to happen.
She’s barking at the moon, chasing impossible dreams.
Other Ways to Say: Waste effort, Futile attempt, Pointless pursuit
24. Like Finding a Needle in a Haystack
Meaning: Nearly impossible, like never finding a tiny needle in a haystack.
In a Sentence:
Winning that prize is like finding a needle in a haystack; never going to happen.
Her success is like finding a needle in a haystack.
Other Ways to Say: Impossible, Hopeless, Near impossible
25. When the Sky Falls
Meaning: Never going to happen, as the sky will never fall.
In a Sentence:
He’ll agree when the sky falls, never going to happen.
She’ll change when the sky falls, not before.
Other Ways to Say: Never, Impossible, No way
26. Not Until the Cows Fly
Meaning: Never going to happen, as cows will never fly.
In a Sentence:
I’ll give up not until the cows fly, never going to happen.
She’ll compromise not until the cows fly.
Other Ways to Say: Never, Impossible, Out of the question
27. Like Catching Lightning
Meaning: Nearly impossible, like never catching lightning.
In a Sentence:
Her success is like catching lightning, never going to happen.
Winning that is like catching lightning, so rare.
Other Ways to Say: Impossible, Hopeless, Near impossible
28. Never in Eternity
Meaning: Never going to happen, even in an infinite time.
In a Sentence:
I’ll never agree, not in eternity.
She won’t change, never in eternity.
Other Ways to Say: Never ever, Impossible, Forever no
29. When the Rivers Run Dry
Meaning: Never going to happen, as rivers will never run dry.
In a Sentence:
He’ll change when the rivers run dry, never.
She’ll admit fault when the rivers run dry.
Other Ways to Say: Never, Impossible, Not happening
30. Not a Prayer
Meaning: No chance at all, like a prayer with no hope.
In a Sentence:
He hasn’t a prayer of winning, never going to happen.
Her plan hasn’t a prayer, never succeeding.
Other Ways to Say: No chance, Hopeless, Impossible
31. When the Wind Stops Blowing
Meaning: Never going to happen, as the wind will never stop.
In a Sentence:
She’ll agree when the wind stops blowing, never.
He’ll change when the wind stops blowing.
Other Ways to Say: Never, Impossible, No way
32. Like Holding Back the Tide
Meaning: Impossible, like never stopping the ocean’s tide.
In a Sentence:
Stopping him is like holding back the tide, never going to happen.
Her efforts are like holding back the tide, futile.
Other Ways to Say: Impossible, Futile, Hopeless
33. Never in a Hundred Lifetimes
Meaning: Never going to happen, even across many lifetimes.
In a Sentence:
I’d never do that, not in a hundred lifetimes.
She won’t forgive him, not in a hundred lifetimes.
Other Ways to Say: Never ever, Impossible, Out of the question
34. When the Earth Stands Still
Meaning: Never going to happen, as the Earth will never stop moving.
In a Sentence:
He’ll agree when the Earth stands still, never.
She’ll change when the Earth stands still.
Other Ways to Say: Never, Impossible, Not happening
35. Not a Dog’s Chance
Meaning: No possibility at all, like a dog’s slim odds.
In a Sentence:
He hasn’t a dog’s chance of succeeding; it’s never going to happen.
Her plan has a dog’s chance, never.
Other Ways to Say: No chance, Hopeless, Impossible
Related Post: 50 Idioms for Fire That Burn With Emotion
36. When the Sun Goes Out
Meaning: Never going to happen, as the sun will never go out.
In a Sentence:
He’ll admit he’s wrong when the sun goes out.
She’ll agree when the sun goes out, never.
Other Ways to Say: Never, Impossible, No way
37. Like Chasing a Mirage
Meaning: Pursuing something unattainable, like never catching a mirage.
In a Sentence:
His goal is like chasing a mirage, never going to happen.
She’s chasing a mirage, never finding success.
Other Ways to Say: Futile pursuit, Impossible chase, Pointless effort
38. Not a Chance in a Million
Meaning: Absolutely no possibility, even in a million tries.
In a Sentence:
There’s not a chance in a million he’ll agree.
Her idea has not a chance in a million, never going to happen.
Other Ways to Say: No way, Impossible, Hopeless
39. When the Stars Align
Meaning: Only under perfect, rare conditions, so it’s never going to happen.
In a Sentence:
He’ll agree when the stars align, never going to happen.
She’ll succeed when the stars align, practically never.
Other Ways to Say: Perfect timing, Rare chance, Almost never
40. Like Wrestling a Shadow
Meaning: Impossible, like never catching a shadow in a fight.
In a Sentence:
Convincing her is like wrestling a shadow; never going to happen.
His plan is like wrestling a shadow, futile.
Other Ways to Say: Impossible, Futile, Hopeless
41. Never See the Light of Day
Meaning: Never going to happen or be revealed, like staying in darkness.
In a Sentence:
That project will never see the light of day.
Her idea will never see the light of day.
Other Ways to Say: Stay hidden, Never happen, Remain buried
42. When the Moon Falls
Meaning: Never going to happen, as the moon will never fall.
In a Sentence:
He’ll help when the moon falls, never.
She’ll agree when the moon falls, not happening.
Other Ways to Say: Never, Impossible, No way
43. Like Catching Smoke
Meaning: Impossible, like never grabbing smoke.
In a Sentence:
Winning her over is like catching smoke, never going to happen.
His plan is like catching smoke, impossible.
Other Ways to Say: Impossible, Futile, Hopeless
44. Not in a Billion Years
Meaning: Never going to happen, even in an impossibly long time.
In a Sentence:
I’d never agree, not in a billion years.
She won’t change, not in a billion years.
Other Ways to Say: Never ever, Impossible, Out of the question
45. When the Oceans Freeze
Meaning: Never going to happen, as oceans will never freeze solid.
In a Sentence:
He’ll apologize when the oceans freeze, never.
She’ll compromise when the oceans freeze.
Other Ways to Say: Never, Impossible, Not happening
46. Like Grasping at Straw
Meaning: Attempting something futile, like never succeeding in grasping straws.
In a Sentence:
His effort is like grasping at straws, never going to happen.
She’s grasping at straws, never succeeding.
Other Ways to Say: Futile effort, Hopeless attempt, Pointless try
47. Never in a Trillion Years
Meaning: Never going to happen, even in an unimaginable time.
In a Sentence:
I’ll never do that, not in a trillion years.
She won’t agree, not in a trillion years.
Other Ways to Say: Never ever, Impossible, No way
48. When the Desert Blooms
Meaning: Never going to happen, as deserts rarely bloom.
In a Sentence:
He’ll change when the desert blooms, never.
She’ll admit fault when the desert blooms.
Other Ways to Say: Never, Impossible, Not happening
49. Like Chasing Your Tail
Meaning: Engaging in a futile effort, like a dog never catching its tail.
In a Sentence:
Her plan is like chasing your tail, never going to happen.
He’s chasing his tail, never succeeding.
Other Ways to Say: Futile pursuit, Pointless effort, Wasted chase
50. When Time Stands Still
Meaning: Never going to happen, as time will never stop.
In a Sentence:
She’ll agree when time stands still, never.
He’ll change when time stands still, not happening.
Other Ways to Say: Never, Impossible, No way
Exercise to Practice – Idioms for Never Going to Happen
- My brother promised he’d clean his room this weekend, but I told him, “I’ll believe that _________________________.”
- “You’ll get a new phone when you get a job, and _________________________,” said my father.
- She said she’d forgive him for cheating, but _________________________ before that happens.
- His startup idea is so unrealistic; it has _________________________ of succeeding.
- I’ve been waiting for him to apologize for three years now, but I’m _________________________; it’s never going to happen.
- Convincing the boss to approve that project is like _________________________; he never changes his mind.
- She thinks she can get a perfect score without studying, but that’s like _________________________.
- I will lend you my car after you get your license, but _________________________ will you get it.
- He’ll become a famous actor _________________________—his audition was a disaster.
- The new project idea is so bad that it will _________________________.
Answer Key
- when pigs fly
- not on your life
- a cold day in hell
- a snowball’s chance in hell
- not holding my breath
- getting blood from a stone
- a needle in a haystack
- not in a million years
- when the sun rises in the west
- never see the light of day
Conclusion
A new vocabulary for the impossible has just been unlocked. The Idioms for Never Going to Happen you’ve learned are your key to bringing futility and empty promises to life with a fresh perspective. These phrases don’t just help you tell a more engaging story; they also allow you to view the improbable from a witty and insightful angle. Use them to make your stories about unreality more compelling than any plain truth.
Danny Weber is a language enthusiast and freelance writer with a passion for unpacking the beauty of idioms and metaphors. Through years of research and creative exploration, Danny helps readers understand the deeper meanings behind familiar phrases—making figurative language feel accessible, engaging, and alive. Whether he’s decoding classic sayings or crafting new twists on old expressions, Danny’s work invites you to see language with fresh eyes.
