When hell freezes over

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Meaning

Never, an impossible wait.

Origin

From 19th-century America, tied to 'hell'; slang by 1850s for no, 'freezes' added by 1880s. A 1887 Twain tale uses it for a never-date.

Variants

  • Hell freezes

Usage Examples

  • He'll pay when hell freezes over; not soon!
  • When hell freezes over, she'll forgive him.
  • I'll quit when hell freezes over-never!

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