Question of the Day #891

Will United Airlines Mend Its Ways? When Pigs Can Fly

From the headline of this article at Forbes.

  上記の文で、when pigs can flyの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "when pigs can fly" mean?

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Write your answer in the Comments.

明日、ここに答えを書きます。
I will add the answer and other remarks here tomorrow.

 

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解答

意味：
英辞郎には、when pigs can flyは掲載されていませんが、同じ意味のwhen pigs flyはあります。その意味は、

チャンスがない、不可能である、無理である、起こり得ない◆【直訳】ブタが空を飛ぶとき ⇒ ブタが空を飛ぶなんてことはあり得ない

他の言い方として、“pigs fly,”“pigs might fly,” “pigs will fly,” or “pigs may fly"があります。
 

Answer

According to The Free Dictionary:

At a point in time that will never come to pass. (Used to show skepticism or cynicism over some hypothetical situation or outcome.)

Same as “pigs fly,” “pigs might fly,” “pigs will fly,” or “pigs may fly.”
 

Examples

• “I’ve already told you; I will learn to dance when pigs can fly.”
• Iran said that he won a billion lottery ticket? I will believe it when pigs fly. Nobody doesn't know he is such a joker.
• “Mark plans to tidy up his room every week, but he will probably do it only when pigs fly.”
• A: "If we could just get Democrats and Republicans to agree on a tax reform bill, we could bring the deficit down in no time." B: "Sure, when pigs can fly!"
• I'm sure that David would be happy to pay for everyone—when pigs can fly.

   

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