English Reference
Idiom idiom

pigs can fly


Alternative form of pigs might fly.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

“I will clean the whole house when pigs can fly.”

CONTEXTUAL

“If you think he is going to apologize for his mistake, pigs can fly.”

COMPLEX

“She dismissed his grandiose promises with a cynical laugh, noting that such an outcome would occur only when pigs can fly.”


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    couldn't stop a pig in a passage

    To be bow-legged.

  2. 02

    fly blind

    To do by guesswork; to feel one's way.

  3. 03

    fly by

    To pass or go past quickly, often without much interaction

  4. 04

    fly by the seat of one's pants

    To pilot an aircraft without the aid of instruments and without a flight plan, using only instinct, visual observation, and practical judgment.

  5. 05

    fly in the face of

    To act in a manner highly contrary to; to counteract or contradict.

  6. 06

    fly in the ointment

    Something (especially a minor thing) which ruins or spoils everything else, or makes it less pleasant; a nuisance or problem; a disagreeable or unpleasant detail.

  7. 07

    fly low

    To have one's fly (zipper) undone.

  8. 08

    fly off

    To flee rapidly; to run away.

Last updated August 10, 2026