45 Something that Will Never Happen: Idioms for the Impossible

Life is full of surprises, but some things are just too far-fetched to even imagine happening. Whether it’s an impossible dream or a scenario that seems utterly ridiculous, there are certain things that will never come to pass.

As the saying goes, “You can’t squeeze blood from a turnip,” meaning some things just can’t be done, no matter how much you wish for them. Here are a few idioms that capture the spirit of the impossible, along with their meanings and some fun examples.

Something that Will Never Happen: Idioms for the Impossible

Table of Contents

1. When pigs fly

Meaning: This idiom expresses the idea that something will never happen, no matter how unlikely it seems.
In a Sentence: “Sure, Bob will help you with the project, but only when pigs fly.”
Other Ways to Say: “Not in a million years,” “When hell freezes over,” “In your dreams.”

2. A snowball’s chance in hell

Meaning: Used to describe a situation where the chances of something happening are extremely slim—almost nonexistent.
In a Sentence: “You think he’ll agree to go skydiving? There’s a snowball’s chance in hell.”
Other Ways to Say: “Slim to none,” “A long shot,” “Fat chance.”

3. Chasing rainbows

Meaning: Trying to achieve something impossible or unrealistic, often resulting in disappointment.
In a Sentence: “Hoping to become a millionaire overnight? You’re just chasing rainbows.”
Other Ways to Say: “Pie in the sky,” “Living in a dream world,” “Building castles in the air.”

4. Not a snowball’s chance in hell

Meaning: A variation of the earlier idiom, used to stress that an outcome is highly improbable.
In a Sentence: “That company has not a snowball’s chance in hell of beating the competition.”
Other Ways to Say: “Out of the question,” “No way, no how,” “Not a prayer.”

5. A wild goose chase

Meaning: A hopeless pursuit of something unattainable or impossible.
In a Sentence: “Looking for the perfect job without any experience? That’s just a wild goose chase.”
Other Ways to Say: “Wild-goose hunt,” “Fool’s errand,” “Chasing your tail.”

6. Crying over spilled milk

Meaning: Worrying about something that has already happened and cannot be changed or fixed.
In a Sentence: “There’s no use crying over spilled milk. We missed the deadline, but let’s move on.”
Other Ways to Say: “What’s done is done,” “No point in whining,” “Can’t turn back time.”

7. Flogging a dead horse

Meaning: Trying to revive or continue something that is no longer possible or relevant.
In a Sentence: “He’s been trying to fix that old car for months—it’s like flogging a dead horse.”
Other Ways to Say: “Beating a dead horse,” “Banging your head against a wall,” “Spinning your wheels.”

8. The moon on a stick

Meaning: Refers to something that is highly unrealistic or unattainable, like asking for the impossible.
In a Sentence: “You want a vacation in Paris and a new car by next week? That’s the moon on a stick!”
Other Ways to Say: “Pie in the sky,” “A bridge too far,” “On a wild ride.”

9. Don’t count your chickens before they hatch

Meaning: Don’t assume something will happen before it actually does, especially if it’s unlikely.
In a Sentence: “You might be hoping for a big bonus, but don’t count your chickens before they hatch.”
Other Ways to Say: “Don’t put the cart before the horse,” “Don’t jump the gun,” “Don’t get ahead of yourself.”

10. Up in the air

Meaning: Something that is uncertain or undecided, often indicating that it may never happen.
In a Sentence: “Our plans for the weekend are still up in the air, but it’s unlikely we’ll go anywhere.”
Other Ways to Say: “Still pending,” “Hanging in the balance,” “In limbo.”

11. A pipe dream

Meaning: An unrealistic or impractical hope or plan, often impossible to achieve.
In a Sentence: “Becoming a famous singer without any experience? That’s just a pipe dream.”
Other Ways to Say: “Fantasy,” “Impossibility,” “Unrealistic goal.”

12. To be in two minds about something

Meaning: Being undecided or torn between two options, often because one or both are unlikely.
In a Sentence: “I’m in two minds about whether to start my own business, but it seems like a risky move.”
Other Ways to Say: “Undecided,” “On the fence,” “Torn between choices.”

13. A long shot

Meaning: A chance that is very unlikely to happen, but not entirely impossible.
In a Sentence: “Winning the lottery is a long shot, but hey, you never know!”
Other Ways to Say: “Slim chance,” “Hail Mary,” “A shot in the dark.”

14. A leopard can’t change its spots

Meaning: A person’s inherent nature or character cannot be changed, even if they try.
In a Sentence: “You think he’ll stop being lazy? A leopard can’t change its spots.”
Other Ways to Say: “Old habits die hard,” “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” “It’s in their nature.”

15. Water under the bridge

Meaning: Something that has happened and can’t be undone or changed, often referred to as “in the past.”
In a Sentence: “Sure, we had our differences, but it’s all water under the bridge now.”
Other Ways to Say: “Let bygones be bygones,” “Old news,” “Past is past.”

16. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush

Meaning: It’s better to hold onto what you have than to risk losing it by chasing something uncertain.
In a Sentence: “You might want to quit your job for another opportunity, but remember, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.”
Other Ways to Say: “Better safe than sorry,” “Don’t risk it,” “Don’t chase what you can’t catch.”

17. To burn the candle at both ends

Meaning: To work excessively hard, often leading to burnout, trying to accomplish too many impossible tasks.
In a Sentence: “She’s been burning the candle at both ends trying to finish all her projects.”
Other Ways to Say: “Burning out,” “Overworking,” “Pushing yourself too hard.”

18. Bite off more than you can chew

Meaning: To take on more responsibilities or tasks than you can realistically manage.
In a Sentence: “Starting three businesses at once? He’s definitely bitten off more than he can chew.”
Other Ways to Say: “Overcommitting,” “Taking on too much,” “Stretching yourself thin.”

19. It’s like pulling teeth

Meaning: Something that is very difficult or nearly impossible to do.
In a Sentence: “Getting her to agree to the plan is like pulling teeth.”
Other Ways to Say: “Like squeezing water from a stone,” “A real struggle,” “A tough nut to crack.”

20. The pot calling the kettle black

Meaning: A person who criticizes someone else for a fault they also have, often highlighting the impossibility of a perfect person.
In a Sentence: “She’s complaining about my mess, but that’s the pot calling the kettle black.”
Other Ways to Say: “Hypocritical,” “Pointing fingers,” “Accusing someone of their own flaws.”

31. Like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole

Meaning: This idiom refers to trying to do something that’s completely incompatible or impossible to achieve.
In a Sentence: “Asking him to organize the event is like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole—he’s just not suited for it.”
Other Ways to Say: “A mismatch,” “Like oil and water,” “Incompatible.”

32. A wild goose won’t come home

Meaning: Something that is so unlikely to happen, it’s as if a wild goose would ever come home.
In a Sentence: “Expecting her to apologize is like waiting for a wild goose to come home.”
Other Ways to Say: “Never in a million years,” “Not happening,” “A pipe dream.”

33. Like looking for a needle in a haystack

Meaning: Searching for something nearly impossible to find, like looking for something tiny in a huge space.
In a Sentence: “Trying to find a solution in this mess is like looking for a needle in a haystack.”
Other Ways to Say: “An impossible task,” “Like finding a diamond in the rough,” “A hopeless search.”

34. Chasing the wind

Meaning: A futile attempt to achieve something unattainable, akin to pursuing something that can’t be grasped.
In a Sentence: “Trying to get him to admit he’s wrong is like chasing the wind—it’s never going to happen.”
Other Ways to Say: “Pushing water uphill,” “Beating your head against a wall,” “Chasing after shadows.”

35. A dog chasing its tail

Meaning: Engaging in a repetitive, pointless task that never leads to any real progress.
In a Sentence: “Trying to convince him to change his mind is like a dog chasing its tail.”
Other Ways to Say: “Spinning your wheels,” “Going in circles,” “Running around in circles.”

36. A fool’s errand

Meaning: A task that is pointless and bound to fail from the start.
In a Sentence: “Going to that meeting was a fool’s errand—we knew they wouldn’t listen.”
Other Ways to Say: “A wild goose chase,” “A dead end,” “A wasted effort.”

37. On a fool’s quest

Meaning: Attempting something that is doomed to fail, like seeking something that can never be attained.
In a Sentence: “He’s on a fool’s quest trying to get that promotion, especially with his track record.”
Other Ways to Say: “Chasing an illusion,” “A hopeless pursuit,” “On a wild chase.”

38. The dream that will never wake

Meaning: A dream or ambition that is never going to be realized, no matter how much you hope for it.
In a Sentence: “Winning the lottery feels like the dream that will never wake—it’s just not going to happen.”
Other Ways to Say: “Chasing shadows,” “An unachievable dream,” “A pipe dream.”

39. Like putting the cart before the horse

Meaning: Attempting something in the wrong order or trying to make something happen that is impossible to achieve right now.
In a Sentence: “Asking for a raise when you’ve only been here a week is like putting the cart before the horse.”
Other Ways to Say: “Getting ahead of yourself,” “Jumping the gun,” “Going about it the wrong way.”

40. The pot is too full to stir

Meaning: Sometimes there’s just too much going on to make progress or get the results you’re hoping for.
In a Sentence: “Her expectations are too high; the pot is too full to stir at this point.”
Other Ways to Say: “Too much to handle,” “Beyond the point of no return,” “Too complicated.”

41. A camel passing through the eye of a needle

Meaning: A situation that is so impossible, it’s like trying to fit a camel through a tiny needle hole.
In a Sentence: “That’s the same as trying to get that deal done—like a camel passing through the eye of a needle.”
Other Ways to Say: “An impossible feat,” “A task beyond belief,” “A no-go.”

42. A snake eating its own tail

Meaning: A situation where something is self-destructive or cannot end well, like an impossible loop that never breaks.
In a Sentence: “Trying to get that company back on track is like a snake eating its own tail—nothing is moving forward.”
Other Ways to Say: “Spinning your wheels,” “Caught in a vicious cycle,” “A never-ending loop.”

43. Building castles in the sky

Meaning: Dreaming of something grand that is entirely unattainable or unrealistic.
In a Sentence: “His plan to open five restaurants in a year is just building castles in the sky.”
Other Ways to Say: “Pie in the sky,” “Dreaming big,” “Wishing for the impossible.”

44. Like trying to catch smoke with your bare hands

Meaning: A futile attempt to hold onto something impossible or intangible.
In a Sentence: “Trying to get an apology from her is like trying to catch smoke with your bare hands.”
Other Ways to Say: “Trying to grasp the wind,” “Impossible to catch,” “Grasping at straws.”

45. A bridge too far

Meaning: Something that is too ambitious or impossible to achieve, often going beyond reasonable expectations.
In a Sentence: “Buying that house on a single income is a bridge too far.”
Other Ways to Say: “A step too far,” “Beyond the limit,” “Out of reach.”

MCQ Quiz: 45 Something that Will Never Happen: Idioms for the Impossible

1. What does the idiom “Like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole” refer to?

A) Something that is easy to do
B) Something that is completely incompatible or impossible to achieve
C) A task that takes time but is achievable
D) A mistake that can be corrected easily

Answer: B) Something that is completely incompatible or impossible to achieve

2. What is the meaning of “A wild goose won’t come home”?

A) Something is very likely to happen
B) Something that is extremely unlikely to happen
C) A situation that is easily fixable
D) A task that can be done with hard work

Answer: B) Something that is extremely unlikely to happen

3. What does the idiom “Like looking for a needle in a haystack” describe?

A) An impossible search for something small or rare
B) A simple and easy task
C) Searching for something with a clear path
D) A quick solution to a problem

Answer: A) An impossible search for something small or rare

4. What does “Chasing the wind” refer to?

A) An easy-to-achieve goal
B) An effort to reach something unattainable
C) A very common situation
D) A task that is guaranteed to succeed

Answer: B) An effort to reach something unattainable

5. “A dog chasing its tail” means:

A) Trying to solve a difficult problem
B) A repetitive and pointless task
C) Something that can be achieved quickly
D) A serious and urgent mission

Answer: B) A repetitive and pointless task

6. What is described by the idiom “A fool’s errand”?

A) A task that is pointless and bound to fail
B) A task that requires a lot of effort
C) A simple and easy mission
D) A task that requires skill

Answer: A) A task that is pointless and bound to fail

7. What does “On a fool’s quest” mean?

A) Attempting a task that has a very high chance of success
B) Trying something that is doomed to fail
C) A quest for something that is easily attainable
D) Engaging in a task that is straightforward

Answer: B) Trying something that is doomed to fail

8. “The dream that will never wake” describes:

A) A dream that becomes a reality
B) A goal that is never achievable
C) A dream that can be worked towards
D) A quick solution to a problem

Answer: B) A goal that is never achievable

9. “Like putting the cart before the horse” refers to:

A) Doing something in the wrong order
B) Starting something at the right time
C) Taking proper steps to achieve success
D) Working hard and efficiently

Answer: A) Doing something in the wrong order

10. What does “The pot is too full to stir” mean?

A) Everything is under control and manageable
B) There’s too much going on to make progress
C) A situation is very easy to manage
D) The task is simple and straightforward

Answer: B) There’s too much going on to make progress

11. “A camel passing through the eye of a needle” represents:

A) A difficult but possible task
B) An easily achievable goal
C) Something extremely unlikely or impossible
D) A situation that requires minimal effort

Answer: C) Something extremely unlikely or impossible

12. What does the idiom “A snake eating its own tail” mean?

A) A productive task that leads to success
B) A repetitive and unproductive situation
C) An easy-to-solve problem
D) A challenging but achievable task

Answer: B) A repetitive and unproductive situation

13. “Building castles in the sky” refers to:

A) A simple and achievable dream
B) A grand but unrealistic or unattainable dream
C) A task that can be done quickly
D) A situation that requires a clear path

Answer: B) A grand but unrealistic or unattainable dream

14. What does “Like trying to catch smoke with your bare hands” mean?

A) Trying to hold on to something impossible or intangible
B) A situation that is very easy to achieve
C) A solution that is right in front of you
D) A task that will only take a few minutes

Answer: A) Trying to hold on to something impossible or intangible

15. What is the meaning of “A bridge too far”?

A) A situation that is easily achievable
B) Something that is too ambitious or impossible to achieve
C) A task that can be done with a little effort
D) A simple problem that requires a quick fix

Answer: B) Something that is too ambitious or impossible to achieve

Wrap Up

In life, we often face situations that seem impossible. “Things that will never happen” appear in many forms. These idioms show us the challenges of unattainable goals. Recognizing them helps us avoid frustration in pursuit.

While some dreams feel out of reach, it’s important. “Waiting for something that will never happen” teaches patience. Instead of chasing the impossible, focus on achievable goals. Embrace what you can control and move forward.

James tony