pigs will fly

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

And pigs will fly.

The Guardian

There will be no mosquitoes, the spectacular roses will finally open, and pigs will fly.

The New York Times

Today, pigs will fly!" I laughed all the way through security and takeoff.

The New York Times

"Pigs will fly before the Spanish government investigates racism in football," he wrote in an editorial published on Monday in El Pais newspaper.

The Guardian - Sport

Perhaps it is true that the media has merely indulged, in the words of the party chairman, Michael Ancram, in "a feeding frenzy of misinterpretation".And perhaps pigs will fly.

The Economist

People said pigs will fly before our circulation rises, Mr Tierney recalled in a recent speech, before recounting how he celebrated a rise in circulation by projecting flying pigs onto the walls of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

"And maybe, if I eat enough barbecued spare ribs at the Corner Stable, a pig will fly out of my butt".

The New York Times - Magazine

Ms Pig and her family will fly over Uluru, before wrapping their trotters around cobs of corn at an outback barbecue and they will also learning to surf, throw a boomerang and visit the Great Barrier Reef.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

She will fly there.

The New York Times - Books

The rhetoric will fly.

The New York Times

Turkeys will fly.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pigs will fly" to express strong disbelief or skepticism about a future event. It's most effective when responding to an overly optimistic or improbable claim.

Common error

Avoid using "pigs will fly" in formal or serious contexts where idiomatic expressions are inappropriate. Choose a more direct and professional way to express skepticism.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "pigs will fly" is to serve as an idiomatic expression indicating disbelief or the improbability of an event. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in contexts where skepticism is being conveyed.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pigs will fly" is a common idiomatic expression used to convey a strong sense of disbelief or to indicate that something is highly unlikely to occur. Ludwig AI analysis, backed by numerous real-world examples, shows that while grammatically sound, this idiom is best suited for informal settings. Alternatives such as "when hell freezes over" or "not in a million years" offer similar expressions of incredulity. While its presence in news media suggests a broader understanding, its use in formal writing should be approached with caution. Remember to consider the context and audience when using "pigs will fly" to ensure your message is received as intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

when hell freezes over

This alternative uses a different metaphor to express the idea of something never happening.

not a snowball's chance in hell

This phrase emphasizes the lack of any possibility of success or occurrence.

never in a million years

This alternative uses a hyperbolic time frame to express the unlikelihood of an event.

when the cows come home

Similar to "pigs will fly", this is an idiomatic expression referring to something that will never happen.

that'll be the day

This phrase expresses doubt that something will ever happen.

not if I can help it

Implies a strong intention to prevent something from happening, making it unlikely.

over my dead body

Expresses strong opposition to something, making it unlikely to occur.

hardly

A simple adverb indicating that something is very unlikely.

no way

An informal and direct expression of disbelief or refusal.

impossible

A straightforward declaration that something cannot happen.

FAQs

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

You can use "pigs will fly" to express strong disbelief about something. For example, "He thinks he'll get a promotion this year? Yeah, "pigs will fly"."

What does the idiom "pigs will fly" mean?

The idiom "pigs will fly" means that something is highly improbable or will never happen. It's a sarcastic way of expressing disbelief.

Are there any alternatives to saying "pigs will fly"?

Yes, you can use alternatives such as "when hell freezes over", "not in a million years", or "not a snowball's chance in hell" to convey similar disbelief.

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

No, "pigs will fly" is an informal idiom and is generally not appropriate for formal writing. It's better suited for casual conversations or informal contexts. Consider using more direct and professional language in formal settings.