pigs can fly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pigs can fly" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to express disbelief or to indicate that something is highly unlikely to happen. Example: "He thinks he can win the lottery every week; that's as likely as pigs can fly." Alternative expressions include "when hell freezes over" and "not in a million years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"So pigs can fly, given half a chance," he said.

The Guardian - Travel

Perhaps it will next try to tell us that pigs can fly.

The New York Times

It's pretty hard to spot porkers from that height, unless the pigs can fly, too.

The Economist

I will not claim that pigs can fly in such a world, but wooden accountants cannot soar either.

Cornell University

"They used to say, 'when pigs can fly' and now they can, so that pleases me," said one of the sheep in the petting zoo.

The Guardian - Books

If the next step in this declension is less face time for Palin on Fox News, then we'll have proof that pigs can fly.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

The humor of character — drawn here by Pat Oliphant — starts from a truth that it then makes even more "truthy": It's different from the fantasy of jokes or cartoons in which a dog walks into a bar, or a pig can fly.

The New Yorker

Of course he always asks me to stop monkeying around but only when pig can fly!

BBC

According to a recent Economist article unedifyingly titled 'PIGS can fly', the pre-crisis migrants arrived in London to take well-paid 'Eurostar' jobs in London's banks, hedge funds and consultancies, or to research and teach in Britain's universities.

Comparative Migration Studies

So the key is, as Zhang would point out, try to be a pig with wings so you can fly when the wind stops.

Forbes

When Tinker Bell falls on Donkey and he says "I can fly" and people around including the three little pigs say "He can fly, he can fly"; this is a reference to Disney's Peter Pan.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "pigs can fly" to express strong disbelief or to humorously dismiss an unlikely scenario. It adds color and emphasis to your language.

Common error

Avoid using "pigs can fly" in formal or serious contexts where a more direct and professional tone is required. Its informal nature can undermine the gravity of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "pigs can fly" is as an idiomatic expression. It acts as a figurative statement to express disbelief or to highlight the impossibility of a situation. Ludwig examples showcase its use in various contexts to convey this meaning.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

15%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

15%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pigs can fly" is a common idiomatic expression used to convey strong disbelief or to emphasize the unlikelihood of an event. It's considered grammatically correct, although informal, and is frequently found in news, media, and academic contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage and offers alternative phrases for similar expressions, such as "when hell freezes over" or "not in a million years". While effective in casual settings, it's best to avoid this phrase in formal or professional writing. The phrase serves as a colorful way to express skepticism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

when hell freezes over

Uses a different metaphor to express impossibility.

it's a snowball's chance in hell

Uses another common idiom to emphasize impossibility.

not in a million years

Emphasizes the extreme unlikelihood of something happening.

never gonna happen

Directly states the impossibility of an event.

don't hold your breath

Suggests that waiting for something to happen is futile.

when kangaroos learn to tango

Replaces the subject with a different, absurd scenario.

fat chance

A concise, informal expression of disbelief.

that'll be the day

A more colloquial way of expressing doubt.

as likely as finding hen's teeth

Employs a different animal-related idiom to indicate rarity and impossibility.

that's pie in the sky

Implies that something is an unrealistic or fanciful notion.

FAQs

How can I use "pigs can fly" in a sentence?

You can use "pigs can fly" to express disbelief or to indicate that something is highly improbable. For example, "He thinks he'll get a promotion this year; that's as likely as "pigs can fly"."

What's a less cliché alternative to "pigs can fly"?

While "pigs can fly" is well-understood, you could use more original alternatives like "when hell freezes over" or "not in a million years" to convey the same sense of impossibility.

Is it appropriate to use "pigs can fly" in formal writing?

No, "pigs can fly" is generally considered informal. It's better suited for casual conversations or less formal writing. In formal contexts, opt for more direct expressions of improbability.

What does the expression "pigs can fly" actually mean?

The expression "pigs can fly" is an idiom used to suggest that something is impossible or highly unlikely to happen. It's a figure of speech, not a literal statement about porcine aviation.