IdiomDaily Life
Italian
Italianalle calende greche
Meaning: never; at an impossible or non-existent time.
Literally: On the Greek calends
Example: “I lavori sono rimandati alle calende greche.” — The work has been postponed until hell freezes over.
English equivalent: When hell freezes over
Equivalents in other languages
Russian: Когда рак на горе свистнет (Kogda rak na gore svistnet) Literally: When a crayfish whistles on the mountain
French: Quand les poules auront des dents Literally: When hens have teeth- Russian: После дождичка в четверг (Posle dozhdichka v chetverg) Literally: After the little rain on Thursday
Portuguese: Nem que a vaca tussa Literally: Not even if the cow coughs
English: at latter Lammas- English: when hell freezes over
- French: Aux calendes grecques Literally: At the Greek calends
- French: À la Saint-Glinglin Literally: On Saint Glinglin's day
- English: when pigs fly
Origin: The Roman calendar had calends (the first of each month), but the Greek calendar did not. The phrase names a date that cannot occur, hence something that will never happen.
More Italian idioms
- farsene un baffo to not care at all; to be indifferent to something.
- sulle spine In a state of anxious suspense or nervous tension, unable to relax.
- a gambe levate With great speed or haste, moving rapidly or impetuously.
- pendaglio da forca A person who deserves to be hanged; a worthless scoundrel.
- menare il can per l'aia To avoid the main point by talking around the subject indirectly.
- con il piede sbagliato To start something badly or get off to a poor beginning.
Explore another collection: Proverbs
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- Sbaglia anche il prete all'altare Everyone makes mistakes, even the most practiced.
- Vesti un ciocco, pare un fiocco Fine clothes can make anyone look good.
- Casa mia, casa mia, per piccina che tu sia, tu mi sembri una badia However humble, your own home is the best place.
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