PhrasesHub

For ever and a day

    Definitions

      • a very long time
        Used to emphasize an extended period of time, often with a sense of exaggeration or hyperbole. Can also suggest eternity or infinity.

      • constantly or without end
        Indicates an unending or unchanging state or situation, often used in a negative context to express frustration or annoyance.

      • permanently or for all time
        Suggests a permanent or unalterable state or decision, often used in legal or formal contexts.

      • never or very rarely
        Used to express disbelief or doubt in something ever happening, often in a sarcastic or ironic manner.

    Examples of For ever and a day

    • She promises to love him for ever and a day, come what may.

      This statement means that she will love him for an eternally long time, as long as she lives, and the expression 'for ever and a day' is idiomatically used to express an extremely long time. The phrase 'come what may' added in the statement is an idiom and it means 'no matter what happens', implying that her love for him will remain steadfast, irrespective of any obstacles or challenges that she may face.

    • Their friendship goes back for ever and a day.

      This sentence implies that the two individuals have been friends for a very long time that it can be expressed in terms of an eternally long amount of time known as 'for ever and a day'. It suggests an age-old friendship that has been uninterrupted and endured through various situations.

    • The brand has been a household name for ever and a day.

      In this example, 'for ever and a day' indicates an indefinite time span, highlighting the fact that the particular brand or company has been immensely popular and highly regarded by the public for a very, very long time.

    • We've been waiting for you for ever and a day.

      This statement highlights the length of time for which someone has been eagerly or expectantly waiting for the arrival of a particular person. It points out that this duration is so long that it is beyond an incredibly extended period, which can be expressed figuratively in the phrase 'for ever and a day'.

    • She loved him for ever and a day.

      This idiom means that she loved him with an intense, never-ending love that will last forever, even for a day beyond infinity. It's a way of emphasizing the idea of eternal love. In other words, she loved him to the ends of time and beyond.

    • He worked on that project for ever and a day.

      This idiom means that he worked on that project forever, with no end in sight. It's used to emphasize the idea of an extremely long period of time, even beyond eternity. In this context, it's a way of describing someone who has been working on a project for an incredibly long time, without a clear end in sight.

    • They danced together for ever and a day.

      This idiom means that they danced together forever, without interruption or end. It's a way of emphasizing the idea of never-ending time, even beyond eternity. In this context, it's a way of describing a couple who danced for an incredibly long time, without stopping or end.

    • She waited for him for ever and a day.

      This idiom means that she waited for him forever, with no end in sight. It's a way of emphasizing the idea of an extremely long period of time, even beyond eternity. In this context, it's a way of describing someone who has been waiting for someone or something for an incredibly long time, without any sign of it coming to an end.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "for ever and a day" is typically used to convey a sense of a very long time, whether it be in a literal or figurative sense. It can be used to emphasize an extended period of time, suggest something will last forever, or express disbelief in something ever happening.

    In its most common usage, "for ever and a day" is used to express a very long time, often with a sense of exaggeration or hyperbole. This usage can be seen in phrases such as "I've been waiting for ever and a day" or "It feels like it's been for ever and a day since I've seen you." The idiom can also suggest eternity or infinity, adding to its sense of timelessness.

    However, "for ever and a day" can also be used to indicate a constant or unending state or situation. This usage is often used in a negative context to express frustration or annoyance, as in "I feel like I've been working for ever and a day without a break." It can also suggest a permanent or unalterable state or decision, particularly in legal or formal contexts.

    Lastly, "for ever and a day" can be used to express disbelief or doubt in something ever happening. This usage is often used in a sarcastic or ironic manner, such as "I'll finish this project for ever and a day" to convey the belief that it will never actually be completed.

    Origin of "For ever and a day"

    The phrase "for ever and a day" has been in use since at least the 14th century, with the earliest recorded usage found in the works of poet and playwright Geoffrey Chaucer. It is believed that the phrase was originally used as a poetic exaggeration for a long period of time, with the addition of "and a day" adding to the sense of eternity.

    Over time, the idiom has evolved to encompass a range of meanings related to time and duration. It has also been used in various literary works, including Shakespeare's plays and modern novels. Today, it is a commonly used phrase in both formal and informal settings.

    The use of "for ever and a day" in legal contexts can be traced back to the 19th century, where it was used to express an unalterable or permanent state. This usage has continued into modern times, particularly in legal contracts and documents.

    Overall, the origin of the idiom "for ever and a day" is rooted in the concept of time and the desire to express a long or eternal period. Its poetic origins have evolved to encompass a range of meanings and usages, making it a versatile and widely used phrase in the English language.