Once in a blue moon

Phrase of the day

Discover a new phrase each day to use in your English! These are special phrases and sayings that English speakers use all the time, but you don't often see these phrases in English course books or other study material. Visit daily to learn some popular English phrases on a regular basis.

26 December 2025

We use this expression to say that something only happens extremely rarely or not at all often.

Written: Yes

Spoken: Yes

Formal: No

Informal: Yes

Example 1

How often do you go to the cinema?

I used to go all the time when I was younger, but now it's once in a blue moon.

Example 2

That restaurant is amazing. I love everything on the menu.

Yes, it's only once in a blue moon that you find one that good.