When Pigs Fly

A2 8+

Pronunciation: /wɛn pɪɡz flaɪ/

Definitions of when pigs fly

noun a word used to identify any of a class of people, places, or things

Example Sentences

A1 My grandma says she'll start using a smartphone when pigs fly.

A2 The boss promised a pay raise when pigs fly.

B1 I'll believe it when pigs fly.

B2 The chances of that happening are slim, it'll happen when pigs fly.

C1 The project will be completed on time when pigs fly.

C2 The politician's promises will be fulfilled when pigs fly.

adverb a word that modifies a verb, adjective, or other adverb, indicating the time, place, manner, or degree of an action

Example Sentences

A1 I will believe it when pigs fly.

A2 She said she would finish her homework when pigs fly.

B1 He promised to clean his room when pigs fly.

B2 The project will be completed on time when pigs fly.

C1 The company will reach its sales target when pigs fly.

C2 The government will reduce taxes when pigs fly.

Examples of when pigs fly in a Sentence

formal It is highly unlikely that the project will be completed on time, it will be done when pigs fly.

informal You think I'll lend you my car? Sure, when pigs fly!

slang As if I'll believe that story, when pigs fly!

figurative I'll start enjoying running when pigs fly, it's just not my thing.

Grammatical Forms of when pigs fly

past tense

when pigs flew

plural

when pigs fly

comparative

more likely than when pigs fly

superlative

most likely when pigs fly

present tense

when pigs fly

future tense

will happen when pigs fly

perfect tense

has happened when pigs fly

continuous tense

is happening when pigs fly

singular

when a pig flies

positive degree

as likely as when pigs fly

infinitive

to see pigs fly

gerund

enjoying when pigs flying

participle

the flying pigs

Origin and Evolution of when pigs fly

First Known Use: 1600 year
Language of Origin: English
Story behind the word: The phrase 'when pigs fly' is believed to have originated in Scotland, where it was used to express the idea of something that is impossible or unlikely to happen.
Evolution of the word: Over time, the phrase has become a common idiom in the English language to convey extreme improbability or impossibility.