Once in a blue moon

Definitions

• rarity
  Refers to something that happens very rarely or only once in a long period of time.

• surprise or unexpectedness
  Used to express shock or surprise at a rare occurrence or event.

Examples of Once in a blue moon

• She only visits her hometown once in a blue moon.

  This idiom means that something happens very rarely or infrequently. In this example, it's implying that the person doesn't go back to her hometown very often. The phrase "once in a blue moon" is used to emphasize the rarity of the event.

• I passed my driving test on my first attempt, which is a rare occurrence these days. It's almost once in a blue moon.

  This example is using the idiom to compare the rarity of passing a driving test on the first try to the infrequency of seeing a blue moon. A blue moon is the second full moon in a calendar month, and it's a rare occurrence. The speaker is saying that passing a driving test on the first try is almost as rare as seeing a blue moon.

• I finally found my missing earring. It's been missing for months, and I thought I'd never see it again. It's almost once in a blue moon.

  This example is using the idiom to emphasize the rarity of finding something that's been missing for a long time. The speaker is saying that finding the missing earring is almost as rare as seeing a blue moon because it's been missing for a long time.

• The weather forecast says that it's going to snow this weekend. It's almost once in a blue moon.

  This example is using the idiom to emphasize the rarity of snow in a particular area. The speaker is saying that snow is almost as rare as seeing a blue moon in that area because it doesn't snow very often.

• The company announced a surprise profit for the quarter. It's almost once in a blue moon.

  This example is using the idiom to emphasize the rarity of a profitable quarter. The speaker is saying that a profitable quarter is almost as rare as seeing a blue moon because the company has been struggling financially.

Conclusion

The idiom "once in a blue moon" is used to convey the idea of rarity and surprise. It can be used to describe something that happens very rarely or unexpectedly, emphasizing the infrequency of the event.

Origin of "Once in a blue moon"

This idiom has its origins in the natural phenomenon of a blue moon, which is when there are two full moons in one calendar month. This occurrence is rare, happening only once every few years. The phrase "once in a blue moon" was first recorded in 1824 and has been used in literature and everyday speech ever since.

Interestingly, the term "blue moon" has also been used to describe something that is impossible or absurd. This originated from the mistaken belief that a blue moon was a rare and impossible event. However, the idiom "once in a blue moon" has taken on a more positive connotation, implying something special and extraordinary. It is often used to describe happy or unexpected events, adding an element of excitement and surprise to the phrase.

Overall, the idiom "once in a blue moon" has evolved from its literal meaning to convey the idea of rarity and surprise in a more figurative sense. It is a colorful and expressive phrase that adds emphasis and emotion to the statement, making it a commonly used idiom in English.