once in a blue moon
English meaning: Once in a blue moon
Definition
Very rarely; almost never.
Example
“We only see our cousins once in a blue moon, since they live on the other side of the world.”
Another example: “He treats himself to an expensive meal only once in a blue moon.”
Usage — When, Where & How
An informal idiom meaning very rarely or almost never ('I only see my cousins once in a blue moon'). Used adverbially, typically with a verb of frequency. Light and conversational; common in both British and US English.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
A 'blue moon' is a rare second full moon in a month; the phrase dates to the 19th century.
Synonyms
- rarely
- seldom
- hardly ever
- infrequently
Antonyms / Opposites
- often
- frequently
- regularly
- all the time
Related Words
- rare
- seldom
- infrequent
- occasional
- sporadic
- scarce
Common Collocations
- once in a blue moon
- only once in a blue moon
- just once in a blue moon
- happens once in a blue moon
- see them once in a blue moon
- once in a blue moon at most
Word Forms
— (fixed phrase)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B