Once in a blue moon Meaning in English
expression
WUHNS in uh BLOO MOON
WONS in uh BLOO MOON
Definition
This phrase means something happens very rarely, almost never.
Usage & Nuances
This is an informal idiom, used mostly in conversation or casual writing. It doesn't refer to the actual moon but means something is very unusual or rare. Do not use it in very formal contexts. Similar expressions: 'hardly ever', 'once in a lifetime' (even rarer).
Spanish: muy de vez en cuando - rara vezPortuguese (BR): muito raramente - de vez em nuncaPortuguese (PT): muito raramente - quase nuncaChinese (Simplified): 很少 - 极为罕见Chinese (Traditional): 很少 - 極為罕見Hindi: बहुत ही कम - कभी-कभी हीArabic: نادراً جداً - مرة كل فين وفينBengali: কখনো সখনো - খুবই কখনো - চরম বিরলভাবেRussian: раз в сто лет - крайне редкоJapanese: ごくたまに - ごくまれにVietnamese: hiếm khi - rất hiếm khiKorean: 아주 가끔 - 거의 드물게Turkish: kırk yılda bir - çok nadirenUrdu: کبھی کبھار - بہت ہی کمIndonesian: sangat jarang - sekali-sekali
Example Sentences
We eat out once in a blue moon.
basic
She visits her hometown once in a blue moon.
basic
My brother calls me once in a blue moon.
basic
I only go to the movies once in a blue moon these days.
natural
Getting snow here is something that happens once in a blue moon.
natural
Once in a blue moon, my parents surprise us with breakfast in bed.
natural