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until the cows come home

Meaning: For an indefinitely long time; forever or seemingly forever.

Language: English

Literally: (Already vivid in English)

Category: Animals

Origin: From the image of cattle that wander away but eventually return home at dusk or after a long absence, the waiting period being indeterminate.

More idioms — Animals

  • plumer la poule sans la faire crier — To extract money or advantage from someone so skillfully that they do not complain or res…
  • faire le pont-levis — For a horse to rear up very high.
  • faire dresser l’oreille — To catch someone's attention or spark their interest.
  • renaître de ses cendres — To rise again and flourish after near-total destruction.
  • donner un coup de pied dans la fourmilière — To strike a major blow or take bold action that stirs up considerable agitation and contr…
  • remettre en selle — To help someone recover a former position or regain their footing after a setback.

More English idioms

  • land in someone's lap — Something desirable comes to someone without effort or expectation on their part.
  • wet one's whistle — To have a drink.
  • out of spoons — Exhausted of energy or resources, usually mental or emotional.
  • bad apple — A person of bad character whose presence corrupts or damages others or a group.
  • thrash out — To discuss and resolve a contentious issue thoroughly through frank dialogue.
  • play Cupid — To act as a matchmaker by trying to bring two people together romantically.

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