(as) rare as a four-leaf clover

Very rare or uncommon. A clover with four leaves instead of the usual three is traditionally thought to be a good-luck charm due to its rarity. Please, who would I even ask to the prom? A high school boy who isn't a doofus is as rare as a four-leaf clover. Passionate love like you find in a poem has always seemed rare as a four-leaf clover in my experience. Support for the president is as rare as a four-leaf clover in this part of the country.

(as) rare as hens' teeth

Incredibly scarce or rare; extremely difficult or impossible to find. Support for the president is as rare as hens' teeth in this part of the country. Please, who would I even ask to the prom? A high school boy who isn't a doofus is as rare as hens' teeth. Passionate love like you find in a poem has always seemed rare as hens' teeth in my experience.

(as) rare as rocking horse crap

vulgar slang Extremely rare or unlikely; all but, or most likely, impossible or non-existent. Primarily heard in Ireland. An honest person in politics? Yeah, that's as rare as rocking horse crap. I'm sorry to say, but the part this engine needs is rare as rocking horse crap. They haven't manufactured these in nearly 50 years! Passionate love like you find in a poem has always seemed rare as rocking horse crap in my experience.

(as) rare as rocking horse manure

slang Extremely rare or unlikely; all but, or most likely, impossible or non-existent. Primarily heard in Ireland. An honest person in politics? Yeah, that's as rare as rocking horse manure. I'm sorry to say, but the part this engine needs is rare as rocking horse manure. They haven't manufactured these in nearly 50 years! Passionate love like you find in a poem has always seemed rare as rocking horse manure in my experience.

(as) rare as rocking horse poo

vulgar slang Extremely rare or unlikely; all but, or most likely, impossible or non-existent. Primarily heard in Ireland. An honest person in politics? Yeah, that's as rare as rocking horse poo. I'm sorry to say, but the part this engine needs is rare as rocking horse poo. They haven't manufactured these in nearly 50 years! Passionate love like you find in a poem has always seemed rare as rocking horse poo in my experience.

a rare bird

A person or thing that is very unusual, especially due to a combination of typically incompatible features. Their latest model is a rare bird indeed, a spacious hatchback that still feels premium and elegant in its design. The film is a rare bird—funny, crass, and yet more emotionally powerful than anything I've seen all year. The senator has spearheaded numerous bipartisan efforts, and she regularly campaigns on behalf of candidates from both major parties. She's certainly a rare bird in the world of politics.

See also: bird, rare

be (as) rare as a four-leaf clover

To be very rare or uncommon. A clover with four leaves instead of the usual three is traditionally thought to be a good-luck charm due to its rarity. Please, who would I even ask to the prom? A high school boy who isn't a doofus is as rare as a four-leaf clover. Passionate love like you find in a poem has always been rare as a four-leaf clover in my experience. Support for the president is as rare as a four-leaf clover in this part of the country.

be a rare bird

To be a very unusual person or thing, especially due to a combination of typically incompatible features. The senator has spearheaded numerous bipartisan efforts, and she regularly campaigns on behalf of candidates from both major parties. She's certainly a rare bird in the world of politics. The film is a rare bird—funny, crass, and yet more emotionally powerful than anything I've seen all year. Their latest model is a rare bird indeed, a spacious hatchback that still feels premium and elegant in its design.

See also: bird, rare

have a rare old time

To have a very good time (at or doing something). Ooh, a Great Gatsby-themed party sounds fun! I'm sure you'll have a rare old time. We always have a rare old time when the Smiths come over for a dinner party. We must do it again soon. A: "You want me to come pick blueberries with you? Like, all day?" B: "Yeah, come on! You'll have a rare old time, I promise."

in rare form

1. In an extreme or otherwise remarkable manner, as of one's behavior. Boy, the kids are in rare form today—how much sugar did you give them? Patty always seems so timid, but she was in rare form in the meeting and deftly answered all of the board members' questions. A: "My students were in rare form today, very subdued and polite." B: "Probably because you threatened them all with detention yesterday!"

2. Doing something extremely well. That comedian was really in rare form last night. I'm not his biggest fan, but he made me laugh till I cried. A: "You were in rare form at the skate park today." B: "I know, did you see my awesome kick flip?" Wow, I didn't know he could be such a dynamic public speaker. He's in rare form today!

rare old time

old-fashioned An exceptionally pleasant, enjoyable, and amusing time. We always have a rare old time when the Smiths come over for a dinner party. We must do it again soon. You should come to the party on Saturday—it's sure to be a rare old time!

have a rare old time

a fine and enjoyable time at a party or something similar. We had a rare old time at Tom's the other night. I haven't had a rare old time like that in years.

in rare form

1. Fig. well prepared for a good performance; at one's best. The goalie is in rare form today; that's his third great save already. We are not exactly in rare form on Monday mornings.

2. Inf. intoxicated. Gert is in rare form, but she'll have time to sleep it off. When Harry was finally in rare form, he slid beneath the table.

rare bird, a

An exceptional individual, a unique person, as in That wife of yours is a rare bird; you're lucky to have her. This idiom, generally used as a compliment, is a translation of the Latin rara avis, which itself was used from about 1600 on and began to be translated only in the late 1800s.

a rare bird

LITERARY

If you call someone or something a rare bird, you mean that they are very unusual. Diane Johnson's book is that rare bird, an American novel of manners. Note: `A rare bird' is a translation of the Latin expression `rara avis', which was used by the Roman writer Juvenal in the 2nd century AD to describe a black swan. At the time, black swans were unknown, although they were later discovered in Australia.

See also: bird, rare

rare as hen's teeth

scarce as hen's teeth

OLD-FASHIONED

If something is as rare as hen's teeth or as scarce as hen's teeth, it is extremely rare. Record companies are becoming as rare as hen's teeth. Note: Hens do not have teeth.

rare (or scarce) as hen's teeth

extremely rare.

As hens do not possess teeth, the implication is that something is rare to the point of non-existence. The phrase was originally a US colloquialism, dating from the mid 19th century.

rare bird

an exceptional person or thing; a rarity.

The English expression is a literal translation of the Latin rara avis .

2005 Apollo Magazine Joseph Southall is that rare bird, an Arts and Crafts painter.

See also: bird, rare

(as) rare/scarce as hen’s ˈteeth

(old-fashioned) extremely rare: Critics always complain that good movies that the whole family can see together are as scarce as hen’s teeth.

This refers to the fact that hens do not have teeth.

a rare ˈbird

a person or thing that is unusual, often because they have/it has two very different interests or qualities: Jill is a very rare bird, a good politician and an excellent listener.This expression is a translation of the Latin idiom ‘rara avis’.

See also: bird, rare

in rare form

1. mod. well-tuned for a good performance; at one’s best. We are not exactly in rare form on Monday mornings.

2. mod. alcohol intoxicated. Gert is in rare form, but she’ll have time to sleep it off.

rare bird

n. an unusual person; a person with rare talents or abilities. An interesting kind of rare bird is the man who can take long vacations and still make money.

See also: bird, rare

rare old time

n. a fine and enjoyable time at a party or something similar. (Folksy.) That was a rare old time at Tom’s the other night.

rare bird, a

An unusual phenomenon or person. The term is a translation from Juvenal’s Satires (ca. a.d. 120), in which, speaking of chastity, he writes, “Rara avis in terris nigroque simillima cygno” (A bird as rare upon the earth as a black swan). The term was soon being applied to other rare phenomena, often as sarcastically as Juvenal had used it, as, for example, for “an honest lawyer” (John Wesley, Journal, 1764).