pigs may fly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pigs may fly" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to express skepticism or disbelief about something unlikely to happen. Example: "He thinks he will win the lottery, but pigs may fly." Alternative expressions include "when hell freezes over" and "not in a million years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

And pigs may fly.

The Economist

Pigs may fly.

The Economist

Pigs may fly or authors may interrupt their own stories, but the ground rules must be consistent so that readers may step confidently outside of themselves for a while and, as the book goes on, draw a line between the author's created universe and their own.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Pigs may never fly, but in the Gulf of Mexico, snails take to the skies.

Science Magazine

Cats may fly.

The Guardian - Sport

Civilians may fly it whenever they wish.

The New York Times

Drones may fly without pilots.

Huffington Post

Spittle may fly.

WikiHow

Insults may fly.

WikiHow

The ball may fly away.

WikiHow

"Pigs may also fly.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "pigs may fly" to express humorous skepticism or disbelief when someone makes a highly improbable claim or prediction. For example: "He says he'll finish the project on time? Well, pigs may fly."

Common error

Do not use "pigs may fly" in contexts where you are literally discussing the possibility of pigs evolving the ability to fly. The phrase is meant to be figurative, expressing disbelief, not zoological speculation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pigs may fly" functions as an idiom used to express skepticism or disbelief about the likelihood of a particular event occurring. It suggests that the event is highly improbable, if not impossible. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The idiom "pigs may fly" is a colorful expression used to denote something highly improbable or impossible. As Ludwig AI explains, it's suitable for expressing skepticism, especially in informal contexts. While grammatically sound, its use is best reserved for casual conversations or less formal writing. The examples show its usage across diverse sources, although its appearance is somewhat rare. Remember that while there is other alternatives to convey this impossibility, the choice depends on the nuance and the level of formality required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

when hell freezes over

Emphasizes the impossibility of an event by referencing a contradictory scenario.

not in a million years

Highlights the extreme improbability of something occurring, stretching into the distant future.

that'll be the day

Expresses doubt that a stated event will ever come to pass, often with a dismissive tone.

when the cows come home

Suggests that something will happen after a very long and indefinite period, implying it's unlikely.

never in my lifetime

Indicates that something is so improbable that it won't occur within the speaker's lifespan.

if wishes were horses

Implies that wanting something is not enough to make it happen, as wishes alone are ineffective.

fat chance

Directly expresses the unlikelihood of something happening.

as likely as finding hens' teeth

Indicates something is incredibly rare and unlikely to be found.

when the stars align

Suggests something relies on a highly improbable and specific set of circumstances.

once in a blue moon

Highlights the rarity and infrequency of an event.

FAQs

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

You can use "pigs may fly" to express disbelief or skepticism about something that is unlikely to happen. For example: "She thinks he'll apologize? Pigs may fly!"

What's a similar expression to "pigs may fly"?

Alternatives to "pigs may fly" include "when hell freezes over", "not in a million years", or "that'll be the day", all of which convey a sense of impossibility or extreme improbability.

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

While grammatically correct, "pigs may fly" is generally considered informal and is best suited for casual conversation or less formal writing. In formal contexts, consider using a more direct expression of doubt or skepticism.

Can I modify the phrase "pigs may fly"?

Yes, you can modify it slightly for emphasis or humor, such as "pigs might fly" or "pigs could fly", without significantly altering the meaning. These variations still indicate a high degree of improbability.