until

It's not over until the fat lady sings. (informal)

something that you say when someone is losing a game or competition but you think there is still a chance they might win. Tony's only two games behind. And as they say, it's not over until the fat lady sings.

See also: fat, it's, lady, over, sing

till/until kingdom come

for a very long time. I don't want to wait until kingdom come for you to decide what you're doing.

See also: come, kingdom, till

until hell freezes over (informal)

if you say that someone can do something until hell freezes over, you mean they will not get the result they want. They can talk until hell freezes over - they won't make me change my mind.

See also: freeze, hell, over

until the cows come home

for a very long time. We could talk about this problem until the cows come home, but it wouldn't solve anything.

See also: come, cow, home

until you are blue in the face

if you say something until you are blue in the face, you keep saying the same thing again and again but no one listens to you. I can tell him to tidy his room until I'm blue in the face, but it's always a mess.

See also: blue, face

---

until hell freezes over

forever. I will fight for these children till hell freezes over.

Usage notes: also used in the form when hell freezes over never: They said they would get back together when hell freezes over.

Etymology: based on the idea that hell (= a very hot place where people are punished forever) can never freeze

See also: freeze, hell, over

until the cows come home

for a very long time. You can diet until the cows come home, and you still won't be a size 4.

See also: come, cow, home

you haven't lived until something

you will be sorry if you do not try this. You haven't lived until you've got a personal trainer to work out with.

See also: haven't, live