never in a month of Sundays
At no time whatsoever.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“I will never in a month of Sundays agree to that plan.”
“You will find a cheaper apartment in this city never in a month of Sundays.”
“I will wear those bright orange pants never in a month of Sundays.”
“He told his boss that he would never in a month of Sundays finish such a massive project by tomorrow morning.”
“My grandmother believes that my brother will clean his messy garage never in a month of Sundays, despite his many promises to do it.”
“The old car is so broken that it will start again never in a month of Sundays, even if a professional mechanic looks at it.”
“She insisted that, never in a month of Sundays, would she return to the place where she had suffered such profound disappointment.”
First recorded in the mid-18th century, the expression relies on the arithmetic of the liturgical calendar. A month of Sundays would mathematically require thirty-one weeks to complete, rendering the duration significantly longer than a standard month. It functions as a hyperbolic measure of time, suggesting an event that will not occur within any foreseeable or conventional span.
- 01
a wild goose never laid a tame egg
Most things are inherited and predetermined.
- 02
any given Sunday
On a particular day, an unpredictable outcome can occur.
- 03
first of never
A nonexistent day; a day that will never come.
- 04
from here to Sunday
Everywhere; all over the place.
- 05
I never did
An exclamation of great surprise.
- 06
I never miss
I am aware of what is going on; I know what is happening.
- 07
month in, month out
During every month; continuously.
- 08
month of Sundays
A very long time; a period regarded as too long.
Last updated August 10, 2026