Idioms

hens' teeth

hens' teeth

Something very scarce (because hens have no teeth). Typically used in phrases like "rarer than hens' teeth." I can hardly believe your brother got an A on his final exam—grades like that are rarer than hens' teeth for him! Please, who would I even ask to the prom? A high school boy who isn't a doofus is as rare as hens' teeth. Support for the president is rarer than hens' teeth in this part of the country.
See also: teeth
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References in periodicals archive
The side roads there have very light traffic in comparison and pedestrians are like hens' teeth. Is the purpose to increase emissions from the thousands of vehicles that pass here daily?
When the Chip purse hit the shelves of Primark a few months back, there was a frenzy as fans bought them in their droves and it became rarer than hens' teeth.
HENS' TEETH Parties could give a real economic lift to Limerick
Met Office records stretching back almost 60 years reveal White Christmases have always been as rare as hens' teeth.
Cutbacks have reduced parking wardens to the extent that they are as rare as hens' teeth.
"Crannogs are quite numerous in Fermanagh but the excavations are like hens' teeth so it is great to be given an opportunity to look at this particular one - It is always an eye opener," Hurl said.
My sincere apologies for not having written earlier but your estimable magazine is as rare as hens' teeth in the UK and it's only because a dear Texan friend sends me his cast-offs that I can find out what's what in shooting circles.
In those days, commemorative items were not produced at the drop of a hat as they are today and items commemorating this victory are about as rare as hens' teeth. However, a simple etched glass beaker will be offered for sale at Carmarthen Antiques Fair this coming weekend.
The factory at Castle Donnington, Derby, is working flat out to keep up with demand, although the sight of a Commando on the roads is still rarer than hens' teeth.
Original ideas in TV being as rare as hens' teeth (valuation pounds 10,000) (see endless palid variations on cooking, dancing and property), Antiques Roadshow has spawned plodding derivatives like Flog It, Cash in the Attic, Dickinson's Real Deal etc, which encourage punters to believe their junk has a price.
And I haven't lost my marbles because this limited production super car is still as rare as hens' teeth compared to some fire-red Italian metal and has a better chance of standing the test of time than many high street banks.
I'm talking rare-as hens' teeth, prime position seats for The Scissor Sisters.
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