until one is blue in the face
For a hopelessly long time; used especially in respect to discussing, explaining, insisting, etc.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“You can argue until you're blue in the face.”
“He explained the rules until he was blue in the face, but they still didn't understand.”
“She warned them until she was blue in the face about the risks, yet they ignored her and went ahead anyway.”
disputed origin
By figurative extension from the concept of being literally out of breath (from talking so much, exerting oneself so much, and so on), which may sometimes cause one's face to look wan.
- 01
as best one can
In the best possible way, given one's circumstances and abilities.
- 02
as far as one knows
To the best of one's knowledge, as far as someone knows or possible information to be gathered about the topic, subject, aspect, or situation.
- 03
back to square one
Located back at the start, as after a dead end or failure.
- 04
bash someone's face in
To beat someone violently.
- 05
beat as one
To share the same feelings.
- 06
become one flesh
To join together in marriage; to develop a unifying bond as a result of marrying.
- 07
bite off more than one can chew
To try to do too much; to take on or attempt more than one is capable of doing.
- 08
bite the big one
To perform poorly; to fail.
Last updated August 10, 2026