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Have you ever heard someone use the term “once in a blue moon” and wondered what it means? This reference will explore the meaning behind this phrase and provide examples of how it can be used in conversation. You will find alternative ways to express the same idea, so you can enhance your language skills.
Once in A Blue Moon Meaning, Origin and Usage
Key Takeaways
- “Once in a blue moon” means something that happens very rarely or infrequently.
“Once in A Blue Moon” Meaning
The idiom “once in a blue moon” refers to something that happens very rarely or infrequently. It describes an event or occurrence that is uncommon or happens at irregular intervals.
For example:
- “We only go out to fancy restaurants once in a blue moon.”
- “He visits his hometown once in a blue moon, usually only during the holidays.”
The phrase comes from the rare occurrence of a “blue moon,” which is the second full moon in a calendar month, a phenomenon that happens roughly every two to three years.
Origin of this Idiom
In the 1500s the term ‘once in a blue moon’ actually had a different meaning, it referred to something as being strange or obscure. The meaning then evolved over time to the one that we use today.
Usage of “Once in A Blue Moon”
- Talking about rare events:
- “I only see my old school friends once in a blue moon.”
- Describing infrequent actions:
- “She cooks at home once in a blue moon because she prefers eating out.”
- Referring to rare occurrences:
- “We go on vacation once in a blue moon due to our busy schedules.”
- In a casual conversation:
- “He only visits his family once in a blue moon, so it’s always a special occasion.”
- Highlighting something unusual:
- “It’s once in a blue moon that we get snow in this part of the country.”
Related Terms to “Once in A Blue Moon”
- Hardly ever – Describes something that almost never happens.
- Rarely – Indicates that something happens infrequently.
- Once in a while – Refers to something happening occasionally, but not often.
- Few and far between – Describes things that are scarce or happen infrequently.
- Seldom – Another way to say that something happens rarely.
- Once in a lifetime – Describes something that happens only once or very rarely during someone’s life.
- On rare occasions – Used to describe events that occur infrequently.
- Infrequently – Indicates something that happens only occasionally or at irregular intervals.
- Every now and then – Describes something that happens occasionally.
- Not often – A straightforward way to say something doesn’t happen frequently.
Other Ways to Say “Once in A Blue Moon”
There are other ways in which you can express the meaning of the term ‘once in a blue moon.’
Here are some examples of things you can say which carry the same meaning.
- Almost never
- Few and far between
- Now and then
- On rare occasions
- Only occasionally
“Once in A Blue Moon” Examples
Examples in Statements
This is a statement being made by a mother.
- ‘My grown up son is so busy these days that he only comes to see me once in a blue moon.’
Here is a statement which is being made by one friend to another.
- ‘I like these chocolates but I only eat them once in a blue moon.’
Other examples:
- It only happens like this once in a blue moon.
- Once in a blue moon you get some problems.
- That happens only once in a blue moon, when the weather is cold enough and thus the ice thick enough.
- You get a chance like this only once in a blue moon.
- I used to spend a lot of time in London, but now I only go there once in a blue moon.
Conversation Examples
If you are curious to see how the phrase ‘once in a blue moon’ can work in a conversation, here are some examples to demonstrate how it can be used.
The first conversation is taking place between two friends.
- Person 1: “Are we going to the cinema later?”
- Person 2: “Yes definitely. We don’t go often enough.”
- Person 1: “I agree, we only go once in a blue moon.”
This next conversation is one which is taking place between to people in the workplace.
- Person 1: “We have an audit coming up again.”
- Person 2: “Again? Have we ever even had one?”
- Person 1: “Perhaps not while you have been working here, they only happen once in a blue moon.”
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