Idiom
once in a blue moon
Meanings
Very rarely; almost never.
Definition
If something happens once in a blue moon, it happens very rarely.
“Once in a blue moon” means very infrequently, almost never. People use it to emphasize that an event does not happen often. It is common in casual speech when talking about habits, visits, or unusual situations.
Examples
- I eat fast food once in a blue moon.
- We see our cousins once in a blue moon because they live overseas.
- She goes to the movies once in a blue moon now that she has a baby.
- Once in a blue moon, the power goes out during a storm.
More at B2 level
- Bob's your uncle Used to say that something will be easy or will happen exactly as expected after a simple step.
- touch base To touch base means to briefly contact someone to share a quick update or confirm plans.
- ballpark figure A ballpark figure is an approximate number or estimate, not an exact one.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to tease someone or make fun of them in a not-too-serious way.
- cheap as chips Very cheap; costing very little money.
More idiom (adverbial phrase)s
- come hell or high water No matter what happens or how difficult things become.
- in a nutshell Used to give a brief, clear summary of something.
- bang to rights Caught clearly doing something wrong, with undeniable proof.
- by hook or by crook By hook or by crook means using any possible method to achieve something, whether fair or not.
- out of left field If something comes out of left field, it is very surprising and unexpected.