
IdiomAnimals
English
as scarce as hen's teeth
Meaning: Extremely rare.
Example: “Tickets for the final are as scarce as hen's teeth.”
Origin: Hens have no teeth at all. The comparison is American, recorded from the 19th century.
Other ways to say this
Italian: Ogni morte di papa Literally: Every death of a popeEnglish: Once in a blue moon
Afrikaans: So skaars soos hoendertande Literally: As scarce as hen's teeth
Spanish: cada muerte de obispo Literally: Each death of bishop
Spanish: de Pascuas a Ramos Literally: From Easter to Palm Sunday
Portuguese: de vez em nunca Literally: From time to never
More English idioms
- have a big mouth To talk too much, especially about things that should be kept secret.
- come down hard on someone To punish or criticize someone severely.
- a bundle of nerves A very anxious or nervous person.
- light-fingered Tending to steal.
- Wrap your head around something To manage to understand or accept something that is complicated, surprising, or hard to b…
- if ifs and buts were candy and nuts A retort to someone dwelling on what might have been: wishing and hypothesizing change no…
Explore another collection: False Friends
Words that look familiar in another language but mean something else entirely.
Keep exploring