if ifs and ands were pots and pans

if ifs and ands were pots and pans

proverb A phrase that advises against wishing for impossible or absurd things to happen. The full phrase is, "If ifs and ands were pots and pans, there'd be no work for tinkers' hands." A: "If only my parents would give me a car, life would be so much easier." B: "Yeah, well, if ifs and ands were pots and pans, right?"
See also: and, if, pan, pot
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

If ifs and ands were pots and pans (there'd be no work for tinkers' hands).

Prov. Wishing for things is useless. (Often said in reply to someone who says something beginning with "If only....") Daughter: If only we didn't have to move out of town, I'd be the happiest girl in the world. Grandmother: If ifs and ands were pots and pans, there'd be no work for tinkers' hands.
See also: and, if, pan, pot
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • (as) sure as eggs (is eggs)
  • sure as eggs is eggs
  • a penny for them
  • 57
  • Heinz
  • Heinz 57
  • Heinz 57 (variety)
  • Heinz 57 variety
  • and the rest
  • great minds
References in periodicals archive
For weekly stars call 09050 700 403 Leo July 23 - August 22 There's an old saying: if ifs and ands were pots and pans, there'd be no need for tinkers.