slow boat to China

on a slow boat to China

On a course or trajectory that will take a very long amount of time, especially with the conclusion or destination being uncertain. Sometimes used humorously or facetiously. It's been three weeks since I ordered those clothes online—is the package on a slow boat to China or something? Unfortunately, our investments seem to be on a slow boat to China at the moment due to the volatility of the market.
See also: boat, china, on, slow
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

slow boat to China

A very long time. A poker players' expression for a player who constantly lost was “I'd like to get you on a slow boat to China,” meaning that the others would have all the time in the world to win the guy's money. Composer Frank Loesser used the phrase as the title and the first line of a 1948 romantic ballad, and the expression started being used as a compliment.
See also: boat, china, slow
Endangered Phrases by Steven D. Price
See also:
  • on a slow boat to China
  • up and coming
  • up-and-coming
  • progress toward
  • progress toward (something)
  • be on the scene
  • on the scene, be
  • on course
  • fly to
  • fly to (someone or something)
References in periodicals archive
Last but not least, I'd order a slow boat to China for Anthea Turner.
Readers Letter: Awards farce
SLOW BOAT TO CHINA OR PASSAGE TO INDIA, WE PICK THE PERFECT TRAVEL WARDROBE - SHOT AT THE BRAND-NEW ALTON TOWERS HOTEL WITH ITS ROUND-THE-WORLD THEME.
FASHION : Foreign flair
There's a cute steam train that travels around the park, or why not get that slow boat to China? Force prize scariest of weekend By Mediterrania, there's a delightful harbour, lined with cafes, bars and restaurants with a vibe more quaint seaside village than theme park.
ELMO OF A TIME; TRAVEL; Great getaway ideas and travel tips you can trust at mirror.co.uk/travel; Tricia Martin and family hit new PortAventura Sesame Street ride to mark the show's 50th birthday
Why don't you take a slow boat to China, I am sure you won't hear any gaggling there.
Letter: You say - Where should we go?
As we left the crematorium to the strains of Dean Martin's Slow Boat to China.'
CLOTHING RETAILER'S FOUNDER IS MISSED
That slow boat to China is suddenly a fast flight to everywhere and it's eating up our lives at an amazing pace.
Canada
The out-going MP added, 'I would put the whole Number 10 spin department on a slow boat to China and hope the plug works loose - and you can quote me on that.'
'Put them all on a slow boat to China' Veteran Welsh Labour MP's amazing blast at Number 10 spin doctors over Kelly case
He also liked to dine at the town's Bangkok Thai restaurant and the posh Slow Boat to China in the nearby village of Manilva.
CON COSTA LAIR; Gangland hood killed by fireball smash lived in luxury hideout worth pounds 200k
It was local boy Andy Prior - he was born in Leigh - who opened the concert with a brace of vntage standards, Almost Like Being In Love and Slow Boat To China, the latter given an up-to-date makeover by the band's pianist, Brian Pendleton.
JAZZ; Big Band Crazy Parr Hall, Warrington
But the slow boat to China bid has been dismissed as junk by Britannia bosses in Leith.
IT'S ALL CHINESE JUNK!
Produced by mentor David Foster, who has worked with Michael Buble, Celine Dion and Josh Groban, Renee's album features jazzy classic standards such as Summertime, On A Slow Boat To China, Midnight At The Oasis and an amazing rendition of Someone To Watch Over Me, and her stunning voice belies her age.
Music reviews
WHETHER you take the slow boat to China for the pork, or a fast 747 to Chicago for the gamey starter, one thing is for sure - these dishes are designed to impress.
A bit of a doo; Something for the; weekend
But it could be the slow boat to China for Southgate after an extension of Boro's alarming slump to just three points from a possible 21.
EVERTON WING IT! ..but Gosling makes feathers fly as Boro get the bird from fans IN ASSOCIATION WITH SETANTA SPORTS
In my youth, there was a song about a slow boat to China. We now need to look for movement a little more rapid than that, and learn to develop partnerships that will ensure we, too, can benefit from the investment expertise of UK companies.
Bill Midgley column
Shame, then, that the plot dawdles along like a slow boat to China.
MOVIES: Chinese Flower begins to wilt; CURSE OF THE GOLDEN FLOWER Cert 15, 114mins ***