Looking up...
An expression used to indicate that something is extremely unlikely to happen or will never occur.
He said he'd clean his room when pigs fly.
This means he will never clean his room.
I'll finish this project by tomorrow, when pigs fly!
This sarcastically implies the project will not be finished on time.
The phrase is often used humorously or sarcastically to express disbelief or skepticism about a claim.
Use 'when pigs fly' in informal settings to express skepticism or disbelief. Avoid using it in formal or professional contexts.
The phrase is often used sarcastically, so ensure the tone matches the intended meaning to avoid misunderstandings.
The phrase originates from the idea that pigs, being unable to fly, make the scenario impossible, thus emphasizing the improbability of the event described.
This idiom is commonly used in informal contexts to dismiss unrealistic or highly improbable statements. It can be used both seriously and humorously.