Expressions for Describing Improbability in English
How to Sound More Natural When Talking About the Unlikely or Impossible
Ever had one of those moments when someone suggests something so far-fetched that you can’t help but laugh and say, “Yeah, right!”? English is full of colorful idioms and phrases to express just that — things that are super unlikely or flat-out impossible. In this post, we’ll go over some commonly used expressions to describe improbability, complete with meanings, lots of real-life examples, common mistakes, and even a mini quiz and FAQ at the end to test your knowledge. Let’s dive in!
📚 1. Like Searching for a Needle in a Haystack
🔹Meaning:
Used when something is extremely difficult to find — pretty much next to impossible.
🔸Examples:
-
Trying to find a parking spot downtown on a Saturday night? It’s like searching for a needle in a haystack.
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Figuring out who took the last cookie without any clues is like finding a needle in a haystack.
🧠Pro Tip: This one is great when you're talking about physically finding something, but also works metaphorically!
 |
| haystack |
❄️ 2. As Likely as Snow in July
🔹Meaning:
This phrase describes something so unlikely that it’s basically not going to happen — especially in places where July is hot!
🔸Examples:
-
Him arriving on time? That’s about as likely as snow in July.
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She says she’ll quit shopping for a month. Sure, and we’ll get snow in July.
✅Correct Use vs ❌Common Mistake:
| ❌ Incorrect | ✅ Correct |
|---|---|
| That will happen as snow in July. | That’s as likely as snow in July. |
| She’ll come, snow in July. | She’ll come? As likely as snow in July. |
🎯3. A Long Shot
Meaning: A goal or attempt that has a small chance of succeeding — it’s a gamble.
🔸Examples:
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Making it into the national team is a long shot, but I’m going to try anyway.
-
Winning the lottery is a long shot, but hey, someone’s got to win, right?
🧠Use Tip: This one is often used for hopes, goals, or opportunities.
🐷 4. When Pigs Fly
🔹Meaning:
This idiom means “never” — something so impossible it’s almost a joke.
🔸Examples:
-
He said he’ll finally clean his room. Yeah, when pigs fly!
-
You think they’ll lower taxes? Maybe when pigs fly.
🎭 Extra Humor: Some people say this with a sarcastic tone or even add “... and they’re pink and doing flips!”
 |
| When pigs are flying |
Example: I’ll believe he’ll start exercising when pigs fly. 😂😂😂
🌊5. A Drop in the Ocean
Meaning: Used to describe something that’s very small or insignificant compared to the bigger problem or need.
🔸Examples:
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My $10 donation felt like a drop in the ocean compared to what’s really needed.
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We recycled a few bottles, but honestly, it’s just a drop in the ocean.
✅Correct Use vs ❌Common Mistake:
| ❌ Incorrect | ✅ Correct |
|---|---|
| That’s a drop of ocean. | That’s a drop in the ocean. |
| It’s just a drop from the ocean. | It’s just a drop in the ocean. |
🐫 6. Like a Camel Going Through the Eye of a Needle
🔹Meaning:
This phrase paints a picture of something that’s nearly impossible — often used when someone refuses to change or when a task is extremely hard.
🔸Examples:
-
Getting him to apologize is like a camel going through the eye of a needle.
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Convincing her to try sushi? That’s like a camel squeezing through a sewing needle.
📖Fun Fact: This phrase comes from a biblical metaphor!
😈7. When Hell Freezes Over
Meaning: This phrase is used to emphasize that something is extremely unlikely or will never happen. It’s a colorful, humorous way of saying “absolutely not” or “never in a million years.” The idea is that hell, being a place of fire and heat, would never freeze — so the thing in question is just as impossible.
Example Sentences:
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He said he’s going to quit junk food? Yeah, when hell freezes over.
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I’ll lend him money again when hell freezes over.
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She’ll admit she was wrong when hell freezes over.
📋 Summary Table
| Expression | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Like searching for a needle in a haystack | Very hard to find or achieve | Finding my keys in this mess? Impossible. |
| As likely as snow in July | Extremely unlikely | He’ll stop procrastinating? As likely as snow in July. |
| A long shot | A very low chance of success | Winning that contest is a long shot, but worth trying. |
| When pigs fly | Will never happen | You think she’ll forgive him? When pigs fly! |
| A drop in the ocean | Very small compared to what’s needed | Our efforts are just a drop in the ocean. |
| Like a camel through the eye of a needle | Nearly or completely impossible task | Persuading him is like a camel through the eye of a needle. |
🚫 Common Mistakes to Watch Out For
| Mistake | Why it’s wrong | Correct Version |
|---|---|---|
| "Needle in hay" | Idiom is incomplete or incorrect | "Needle in a haystack" |
| "As snow in July" | Missing structure | "As likely as snow in July" |
| "A drop of ocean" | Wrong preposition | "A drop in the ocean" |
| "Pigs can fly someday" | Loses the idiomatic tone | "When pigs fly" (as an ironic statement) |
| "Camel through a needle" | Too simplified, loses metaphor | "Like a camel going through the eye of a needle" |
❓Quiz Time! Can You Choose the Right Idiom?
1. Winning the Nobel Prize without ever writing a paper is ____________.
a) a drop in the ocean
b) a long shot
c) when pigs fly
2. Trying to fix this computer without knowing coding is like ____________.
a) searching for a needle in a haystack
b) snow in July
c) a long shot
3. Donating one dollar to world hunger feels like ____________.
a) when pigs fly
b) a drop in the ocean
c) a camel through a needle
❓ FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can I use these idioms in writing, like essays or emails?
A: Absolutely, but use them appropriately. “When pigs fly” is a bit casual, so it might not be suitable in formal emails. Others like “a long shot” or “a drop in the ocean” are more flexible.
Q2: Are these idioms commonly used in the U.S. and the U.K.?
A: Yes! These are widely recognized in both American and British English. Some might be more common in conversation than in writing.
Q3: Is it okay to mix these idioms up or create my own version?
A: It’s best to stick to the original form so native speakers understand you clearly. Changing them too much might confuse people.
💬 Idioms for Improbability – Usage Frequency in Spoken English
| No. | Idiom | Usage Frequency in Spoken English | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Like searching for a needle in a haystack | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (High) | Common in both speech and writing; especially for hard tasks. |
| 2 | As likely as snow in July | ⭐⭐☆☆☆ (Low–Moderate) | More literary or poetic; less common in daily speech. |
| 3 | A long shot | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (High) | Often used in sports, business, or risk-related situations. |
| 4 | When pigs fly | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Very High) | Very common and humorous; great for casual talk. |
| 5 | A drop in the ocean | ⭐⭐⭐☆ (Moderate) | Common in thoughtful or serious discussions. |
| 6 | Like a camel going through the eye of a needle | ⭐⭐☆☆☆ (Low–Moderate) | More formal or biblical; not often used in daily chat. |
| 7 | When hell freezes over | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Very High) | Very common in casual speech, especially for strong emphasis or sarcasm. |
⭐ Notes:
-
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ : Very frequently used in casual, spoken English
-
⭐⭐⭐☆ : Occasionally used in both speech and writing
-
⭐⭐☆☆☆ : Less common in daily conversations; more literary/formal
📝 Final Thoughts
Idiomatic expressions like these help you express emotions and ideas in a vivid, memorable way. Instead of saying “That’s hard” or “That’s not going to happen,” you can say things like “That’s a long shot” or “Yeah, when pigs fly.” Sounds much more natural, right?
So go ahead — try sprinkling these into your conversations. The more you use them, the more confident and fluent you’ll sound. And who knows? One day you’ll use them without even thinking about it!
