when hell freezes over

USAGE SUMMARY

"when hell freezes over" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to express that something will never happen. For example, you might say, "I'll believe it when hell freezes over."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Reference

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

The Eagles, whose manager once defiantly proclaimed that the band would get back together only "when hell freezes over," are working on a new album and starting an 80-date American tour in May.

The New York Times - Arts

The artificial reef which Gibraltar has created to protect its fleet from Spanish over-fishing – Spain claims all the water round Gibraltar – will be removed only "when hell freezes over", Picardo told reporters.

The Guardian

If you believe that the Tea Party and Occupy Wall Street would only join forces "when hell freezes over," then start building your ark.

Huffington Post

"As they say, when hell freezes over, I'll fight on the ice".

The New York Times

It had become something of a standing music-biz joke, akin to "when hell freezes over".

Independent

During their acrimonious 14-year-split, Don Henley told anyone who would listen that The Eagles would only get back together when "hell freezes over".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

"They could build until hell freezes over," she said during a daylong tour of failed developments.

The New York Times

Also, hopefully our darn BART train station will open before all hell freezes over!

TechCrunch

When 30,000 Ecuadorian villagers sued Chevron in 1993 for devastating the Amazon with 18 billion gallons of toxic wastewater, the US-based oil giant's reply was simple: "We will fight [the lawsuit] until hell freezes over," said a representative.

Vice

MacBook Pro, MacBook Hell froze over a second time in 2006 when Apple began popping Intel chips — processors from what Mac-heads called the Dark Side — into its computer line.

The New York Times - Tech

And hell froze over.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "when hell freezes over" to add emphasis to a statement of impossibility, especially when you want to sound humorous or emphatic. Avoid in very formal or serious contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "when hell freezes over" in situations requiring sensitivity or seriousness. The phrase's inherent humor may be inappropriate in solemn or formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when hell freezes over" functions as an idiomatic expression, primarily serving as a figure of speech. According to Ludwig AI, it emphasizes the impossibility or extreme unlikelihood of an event. The examples show it being used to dismiss suggestions and express disbelief.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

12%

Reference

6%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The idiom "when hell freezes over" is a colorful way to express that something is impossible or extremely unlikely. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English, though it is most appropriate in informal contexts. Our analysis of various sources shows that the phrase is commonly found in news and media, as well as in more casual settings. While its playful tone adds emphasis, be mindful of the setting and avoid using it in formal or serious situations where it may be misconstrued.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not in a million years

Emphasizes the extreme unlikelihood of something happening.

when pigs fly

A classic idiom expressing impossibility with a whimsical image.

never ever

Simple and direct expression of something that won't happen.

not a chance in hell

Emphasizes the impossibility of something with strong negative connotation.

no way

An informal way of expressing strong disagreement or disbelief.

when the cows come home

Suggests something will happen after a very long time or never.

not if I can help it

Implies a strong personal opposition to something occurring.

over my dead body

Expresses extreme opposition to something, indicating it will only happen if one is dead.

in your dreams

Dismisses something as unrealistic or impossible to achieve.

forget about it

Informally dismisses something as not worth considering or impossible.

FAQs

How can I use "when hell freezes over" in a sentence?

You can use "when hell freezes over" to express that something is extremely unlikely or impossible. For example, "I'll agree with that "when hell freezes over"."

What does "when hell freezes over" mean?

The idiom "when hell freezes over" means that something will never happen. It's a figure of speech used for emphasis.

Are there any alternatives to "when hell freezes over"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "when pigs fly", "not in a million years", or "never ever" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "when hell freezes over" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "when hell freezes over" is generally considered informal and should be avoided in formal or professional writing. Opt for more neutral phrases like "it is highly unlikely" or "it will not happen".