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Idioms are fun phrases where the words together mean something totally different from what they say one by one. People use them to make talking and writing more colorful, exciting, and full of life. Today, you are going to learn a bunch of helpful idioms that all have to do with lasting forever or a very long time.
In this lesson, we’ll look at idioms for forever that mean lasting endlessly or taking forever. Let’s get started and explore some of these helpful expressions.
Idioms for Forever
1. Till the cows come home
Meaning: For a very long time or almost endlessly.
For Example: We could talk about our favorite video games till the cows come home. / You can keep practicing your guitar till the cows come home, but let us take a break for dinner soon.
Other Ways to Say: For ages / All day long
2. Until hell freezes over
Meaning: For eternity or never at all under any circumstances.
For Example: He promised to keep cleaning his messy room until hell freezes over. / She will wait for her lost puppy to return until hell freezes over.
Other Ways to Say: Never / For eternity
3. For a blue moon
Meaning: A very rare occurrence or a span of time that hardly ever happens.
For Example: We only get to visit that giant amusement park once in a blue moon. / He eats broccoli once in a blue moon because he prefers carrots.
Other Ways to Say: Rarely / Seldom
4. Since time immemorial
Meaning: For a period so long that nobody can remember when it started.
For Example: People have been telling magical stories around campfires since time immemorial. / The old castle has stood on that green hill since time immemorial.
Other Ways to Say: For ages / Since ancient days
5. Till kingdom come
Meaning: For a very long time or until the end of the world.
For Example: The old grandfather clock kept ticking away smoothly till kingdom come. / You can complain about doing homework till kingdom come, but it still needs to be finished.
Other Ways to Say: Forever / Endlessly
6. For the rest of one’s days
Meaning: For the entire remainder of a person’s life.
For Example: She promised to take good care of her rescue kitten for the rest of her days. / He will always remember winning the big spelling bee for the rest of his days.
Other Ways to Say: Always / Forevermore
7. For a lifetime
Meaning: Lasting through all the years of a person’s existence.
For Example: Best friends promise to stick together and share adventures for a lifetime. / Finding a puppy that matches your personality is a joy for a lifetime.
Other Ways to Say: Forever / Always
8. Day in and day out
Meaning: Happening continuously every single day without stopping.
For Example: The dedicated puppy waited by the front door day in and day out. / She practiced her piano scales day in and day out until she won the medal.
Other Ways to Say: Constantly / Every day
9. Year in and year out
Meaning: Happening consistently across every single year.
For Example: Our family visits the same sunny beach house year in and year out. / The loyal old oak tree drops its colorful leaves year in and year out.
Other Ways to Say: Regularly / Annually
10. From dawn till dusk
Meaning: Lasting all day long from early morning until late evening.
For Example: The happy children played outside in the sunshine from dawn till dusk. / The hardworking farmers harvested apples in the orchard from dawn till dusk.
Other Ways to Say: All day / Sunrise to sunset
11. Around the clock
Meaning: Happening twenty-four hours a day without any breaks.
For Example: The rescue workers searched for the lost hiker around the clock. / The hospital nurses work around the clock to help people feel better.
Other Ways to Say: Continuously / All day and night
12. End on end
Meaning: Placed or happening sequentially in a continuous line or duration.
For Example: He stacked his comic books end on end all the way to the ceiling. / The rainy days kept coming end on end for nearly two whole weeks.
Other Ways to Say: Back to back / Continuously
13. Without end
Meaning: Having no final stopping point or conclusion.
For Example: The universe felt like it stretched out into space without end. / The teacher told a magical story that seemed to go on without end.
Other Ways to Say: Endless / Infinite
14. World without end
Meaning: An old expression meaning something lasts for eternity.
For Example: The starry night sky looked like a masterpiece of world without end. / They hoped their wonderful friendship would last world without end.
Other Ways to Say: Forever / Eternity
15. For all eternity
Meaning: Lasting forever into future time without ever stopping.
For Example: Ancient pyramids stand in the desert sand like monuments for all eternity. / The bright memories of our summer camp trip will stay with us for all eternity.
Other Ways to Say: Forever / Always
16. Until the end of time
Meaning: Lasting until history and time itself stop existing.
For Example: I will cherish this special friendship bracelet until the end of time. / The beauty of the grand mountains will inspire people until the end of time.
Other Ways to Say: Forever / Always
17. For keeps
Meaning: Permanent and meant to last forever without being returned.
For Example: Did you win that shiny glass marble for keeps or just for this game? / She decided to adopt the stray kitten and keep it for keeps.
Other Ways to Say: Permanently / Forever
18. Here to stay
Meaning: Something that has become permanent and will not leave.
For Example: It looks like these chilly autumn temperatures are here to stay. / Digital learning tools in the classroom are definitely here to stay.
Other Ways to Say: Permanent / Lasting
19. Set in stone
Meaning: Completely permanent and impossible to change ever again.
For Example: Our vacation dates are not set in stone yet, so they might change slightly. / The rules of the playground game felt set in stone because we played them for years.
Other Ways to Say: Permanent / Fixed
20. Lock, stock, and barrel
Meaning: Including every single part of something completely and forever.
For Example: He sold his old skateboard collection lock, stock, and barrel to his cousin. / The family moved across the country, taking their belongings lock, stock, and barrel.
Other Ways to Say: Completely / Entirely
21. For good
Meaning: Permanently and forever without any chance of returning.
For Example: My favorite television show is going off the air for good this Friday. / The snow melted away for good as the warm spring weather arrived.
Other Ways to Say: Permanently / Forever
22. Once and for ally
Meaning: Settling something permanently so it never needs to be addressed again.
For Example: I want to figure out once and for all who left the back door open. / We need to organize this messy art supply drawer once and for all.
Other Ways to Say: Finally / Permanently
23. To the ends of the earth
Meaning: Traveling as far as possible or searching forever to find something.
For Example: The knight promised to search to the ends of the earth for the golden crown. / I would travel to the ends of the earth to find my missing puppy.
Other Ways to Say: Everywhere / Anywhere
24. A dog’s age
Meaning: An expression meaning a very long time.
For Example: I have not seen my best friend from summer camp in a dog’s age. / It feels like we have been waiting in this ticket line for a dog’s age.
Other Ways to Say: A long time / Ages
25. An eternity
Meaning: A duration of time that feels like it goes on forever.
For Example: Waiting for the school bell to ring on a Friday afternoon feels like an eternity. / The microwave took an eternity to heat up my leftover pizza slice.
Other Ways to Say: Forever / A very long time
26. Since the year dot
Meaning: A long-standing idiom meaning from a very long time ago.
For Example: My grandfather has lived in that same cozy yellow house since the year dot. / That rusty bicycle has been sitting in our garage since the year dot.
Other Ways to Say: For ages / A long time
27. Year dot
Meaning: The very beginning of time or a very early starting point.
For Example: We have been studying this same science project since year dot. / I have owned this favorite teddy bear since year dot.
Other Ways to Say: The beginning / Way back
28. For ages
Meaning: For a very long period of time.
For Example: We waited in line for ages to ride the new roller coaster. / I have not tasted chocolate chip cookies for ages.
Other Ways to Say: A long time / For a while
29. For donkey’s years
Meaning: A fun phrase meaning for a very long time.
For Example: The baker has been making fresh sourdough bread in this shop for donkey’s years. / My parents have known each other for donkey’s years since they were kids.
Other Ways to Say: For ages / A long time
30. More years than I care to remember
Meaning: A phrase used to describe a very long time that feels endless.
For Example: I have lived in this cozy neighborhood for more years than I care to remember. / My teacher has been reading that same adventure book to students for more years than I care to remember.
Other Ways to Say: A long time / Ages
31. Since Adam was a boy
Meaning: From a time in the very distant past.
For Example: That old wooden piano in the hallway has been out of tune since Adam was a boy. / My grandfather tells stories about his school days that feel like they happened since Adam was a boy.
Other Ways to Say: Long ago / Ancient times
32. Out of the ark
Meaning: Something that is extremely old or has been around forever.
For Example: Where did you find this clunky computer that looks like it is right out of the ark? / My dad wears leather shoes that look like they came straight out of the ark.
Other Ways to Say: Ancient / Old-fashioned
33. Ancient history
Meaning: Something that happened so long ago it feels like forever in the past.
For Example: Getting a low score on my first spelling test is ancient history now. / Our argument yesterday is already ancient history because we are best friends again.
Other Ways to Say: In the past / Gone by
34. Time out of mindy
Meaning: A time so far back that nobody can remember its beginning.
For Example: Wildflowers have bloomed in this green meadow for time out of mind. / Families have gathered at this lake for summer picnics for time out of mind.
Other Ways to Say: For ages / Long ago
35. Time without end
Meaning: An endless span of time stretching into the future.
For Example: The glowing stars sparkled across the dark sky in time without end. / We wished for our fun weekend sleepover to last in time without end.
Other Ways to Say: Endless time / Eternity
36. Through thick and thin
Meaning: Remaining loyal and staying together through all times, good and bad, forever.
For Example: My best friend and I have promised to stick together through thick and thin. / The loyal dog stayed by his owner’s side through thick and thin.
Other Ways to Say: Always / Through everything
37. Through the years
Meaning: Passing through many years of time together.
For Example: Our family photo album shows how much we have grown through the years. / The grand oak tree has provided cool shade through the years.
Other Ways to Say: Over time / Across years
38. Down through the ages
Meaning: Passing from generation to generation over a very long time.
For Example: Folk songs and fairy tales have been passed down through the ages. / People have looked up at the shining moon down through the ages.
Other Ways to Say: Over time / Historically
39. Across the generations
Meaning: Spanning across many family age groups for a very long time.
For Example: This special silver pocket watch has been handed down across the generations. / Baking secret cookie recipes is a tradition that continues across the generations.
Other Ways to Say: Family tradition / Long-standing
40. From generation to generationy
Meaning: Handed down continuously as time keeps moving forward.
For Example: Stories of bravery are shared from generation to generation. / The handmade quilt was passed from generation to generation in our family.
Other Ways to Say: Down through time / Continuously
41. Till the end of the chapter
Meaning: Lasting until a specific long task or section of life finishes.
For Example: We promised to read together till the end of the chapter. / He wanted to finish building his Lego castle till the end of the chapter.
Other Ways to Say: Until finished / To the end
42. Till the final curtain falls
Meaning: Lasting until the very end of a show, performance, or event.
For Example: The actors stayed on stage and smiled till the final curtain falls. / We will cheer for our school team till the final curtain falls.
Other Ways to Say: Until the end / All the way
43. Till the fat lady sings
Meaning: A popular saying meaning an event or game is not over until the very last moment.
For Example: Do not leave the basketball game early because it is not over till the fat lady sings. / We can still win this science competition till the fat lady sings.
Other Ways to Say: Until the end / Not over yet
44. Until pigs fly
Meaning: Something that will take forever because it will never happen.
For Example: My brother will clean his room without being asked until pigs fly. / You will catch a falling star in your hand until pigs fly.
Other Ways to Say: Never / Impossibly long
45. When hell freezes over
Meaning: A humorous way to say something will take forever or never happen.
For Example: I will eat slimy green Brussels sprouts when hell freezes over. / He will lend me his brand new video game when hell freezes over.
Other Ways to Say: Never / Not happening
46. On the Greek calends
Meaning: A historical way of saying something that will happen at a time that never comes.
For Example: He promised to clean out his backpack on the Greek calends. / We will postpone our messy bedroom cleaning until the Greek calends.
Other Ways to Say: Never / Someday never
47. At the Greek calends
Meaning: Happening on a date that does not exist, meaning never.
For Example: My chores will get done at the Greek calends if I keep playing games. / She promised to return my comic book at the Greek calends.
Other Ways to Say: Never / Forever postponed
48. In a million years
Meaning: A span of time so huge it feels like forever, usually used for things that will never happen.
For Example: I would not jump off that high diving board in a million years. / He thought he would never see a real dinosaur in a million years.
Other Ways to Say: Never / Not ever
49. Not for all the tea in China
Meaning: An expression meaning not for any price or amount of time.
For Example: I would not give up my favorite stuffed teddy bear not for all the tea in China. / She refused to share her secret treehouse hideout not for all the tea in China.
Other Ways to Say: Never / Absolutely not
50. Not on your life
Meaning: An emphatic way to say something will definitely not happen ever.
For Example: Would I ride the scariest roller coaster at the park? Not on your life! / Are you going to eat that weird-looking green jelly? Not on your life!
Other Ways to Say: Never / Absolutely not
51. For all time
Meaning: Lasting forever without any end in sight.
For Example: Shakespeare’s brilliant plays are remembered and loved for all time. / The hero’s brave deed was written down in history books for all time.
Other Ways to Say: Forever / Eternally
52. Into the indefinite future
Meaning: Stretching forward into time without a set ending date.
For Example: The library project has been extended into the indefinite future. / We plan to keep practicing our soccer skills into the indefinite future.
Other Ways to Say: Endlessly / Long-term
53. World without end amen
Meaning: A traditional phrase echoing endless time and eternity.
For Example: The ancient hymn echoed through the stone cathedral, singing world without end amen. / They wished for peace on earth world without end amen.
Other Ways to Say: Forever / For eternity
54. From here on out
Meaning: Starting right now and continuing forever into the future.
For Example: From here on out, I promise to put my shoes in the closet every day. / From here on out, our class will recycle paper after every art project.
Other Ways to Say: From now on / Henceforth
55. From this day forward
Meaning: Beginning today and lasting for the rest of time.
For Example: From this day forward, we agreed to share our art supplies nicely. / The kingdom lived in peace from this day forward.
Other Ways to Say: From now on / Always
56. Henceforth and forevermore
Meaning: A formal way to say starting now and lasting through all future time.
For Example: The brave puppy was declared the official park mascot henceforth and forevermore. / We promised to keep our secret clubhouse private henceforth and forevermore.
Other Ways to Say: Forever / Always
57. World without ending
Meaning: A poetic description of endless time and space.
For Example: The bright starry galaxy felt like a world without ending. / Our summer vacation felt like a world without ending when we played outside.
Other Ways to Say: Endless / Infinite
58. Until further notice
Meaning: Continuing for a long, unspecified period of time.
For Example: The playground is closed for repairs until further notice. / We will practice this song in music class until further notice.
Other Ways to Say: Indefinitely / For now
59. Endlessly and eternally
Meaning: Continuing forever without ever coming to a stop.
For Example: The ocean waves crashed against the sandy shore endlessly and eternally. / The bright sun shone down on the green valley endlessly and eternally.
Other Ways to Say: Forever / Constantly
60. For ever and a day
Meaning: A classic phrase meaning an exceptionally long time or eternity.
For Example: I have waited for my turn on the new slide for ever and a day. / She loves reading fantasy adventure books for ever and a day.
Other Ways to Say: Forever / Ages
Exercise to Practice
- We could talk about our favorite comic books ________.
- Waiting for the school bell to ring on Friday afternoon feels like ________.
- My best friend and I promised to stick together through ________.
- I have not tasted those delicious chocolate cookies for ________.
- The happy children played outside in the sunshine from ________.
- My grandfather has lived in that same cozy house for ________.
- From ________, I promise to put my backpack away right after school.
- The old grandfather clock kept ticking away smoothly till ________.
- Would I ride the scariest roller coaster in the dark? Not ________!
- We have been waiting in this long ticket line for ________.
- My family visits the same sunny lake cabin year in and ________.
- The library project has been extended into the ________ future.
- She promised to take care of her rescue kitten for the rest of ________.
- The dedicated puppy waited by the front door day in and ________.
- I would not give up my favorite stuffed animal not for all ________.
Answer Key
- till the cows come home
- an eternity
- thick and thin
- ages
- dawn till dusk
- donkey’s years
- here on out
- kingdom come
- on your life
- a dog’s age
- year out
- indefinite
- her days
- day out
- the tea in China
Conclusion
Learning idioms about forever helps you understand stories, poems, and everyday conversations much better. When you know what these colorful phrases mean, you can use them to make your own writing sound super fun and exciting.
Try using a few of these expressions the next time you want to describe a really long time to your friends. Practicing them out loud is a great way to remember them and make your speaking sound awesome.
