when Hell freezes over
Never; not in this lifetime or a time in the unforeseeably distant future; not a chance.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“I will apologize to him when hell freezes over.”
“He asked if I would ever lend him my car again, but I told him that would happen when hell freezes over.”
“The stubborn politician insisted he would resign his position only when hell freezes over, despite the mounting pressure from his own party.”
- 01
all hell breaks loose
The situation becomes chaotic or characterized by conflict or rage.
- 02
all over hell's half acre
All over the place; everywhere.
- 03
catch hell
To be severely reprimanded, punished, or beaten.
- 04
cold day in Hell
The time of occurrence of an event that will never happen.
- 05
come hell or high water
Regardless of the hardships; no matter what difficulties may arise.
- 06
forty minutes of hell
The NCAA strategy of playing a suffocating full-court press and aggressive offense for the entirety of a game.
- 07
freeze out
To snub or ice out; to forcibly remove or exclude.
- 08
fucking hell
An exclamation of great surprise.
Last updated August 10, 2026