till the fat lady sings

till the fat lady sings

Until a given situation, event, effort, etc., is completely finished or concluded. Usually used in the phrases "it's not over till the fat lady sings" or "it ain't over till the fat lady sings." It is often used in reference to organized competitions, such as sporting events, political elections, etc. A: "We're down by six points with only two minutes remaining. There's no way we can win now!" B: "Hey, it's not over till the fat lady sings!" It's not looking likely that the senator will be elected to another term, but it ain't over till the fat lady sings.
See also: fat, lady, sing, till
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

till the fat lady sings

 and when the fat lady sings
Fig. at the end; a long time from now. (Supposedly from a tale about a child—sitting through an opera—who asks a parent when it will be over. "Not until the fat lady sings" is the answer.) Relax. It won't be over till the fat lady sings. We can leave with everybody else when the fat lady sings.
See also: fat, lady, sing, till
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

till the fat lady sings

and when the fat lady sings
mod. at the end; a long time from now. (Supposedly from a tale about a child—sitting through an opera—who asks a parent when it will be over. “Not until the fat lady sings” is the answer.) Relax. It won’t be over till the fat lady sings. This trial will be over when the fat lady sings, and that’s all there is to it!
See also: fat, lady, sing, till
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • until the fat lady sings
  • call it/them as (one) sees it/them
  • call it/them like (one) sees it/them
  • till hell freezes over
  • until hell freezes over
  • clear
  • struggle bus
  • slight
  • in the least
  • sing of (someone or something)
References in periodicals archive
Good ol' Wikipedia writes that, ""It ain't over till the fat lady sings" is a colloquialism which is often used as a proverb.
Just How Wily is Niagara Falls Mayoral Candidate Jeffrey Elder?
But as they say, it ain't over till the fat lady sings and no one has heard her warming up just yet.
Courthouse deal reckoning nigh; Activists cite lack of transparency
Asked again if the new organization in the Senate is already final, Drilon said: "It ain't over till the fat lady sings."
Drilon running for Senate presidency unopposed?
Gary Butterfield IT'S not over till the fat lady sings...
Boro twitter
She was 66-1, got off to a great start, and famously warned 'it's not over till the fat lady sings, and I'm not singing yet!' Viewers loved that, and Linda."
'It has all been such a tremendous pleasure'
"It ain't over till the fat lady sings - and she hasn't even begun to gargle yet."
Transport official's scathing attack on 'inept' bus boss; Operator's licence taken
There is also evidence that the saying is older and originated in America's Deep South in the form of: "Church ain't over till the fat lady sings."
Just ask; Posers and puzzlers
Diversity were the better act on the night without doubt, but as the saying goes, it ain't over till the fat lady sings.
Oops.. SuBo faller in one-horse race; THE WISE MAN OF TV
"It's not over till the fat lady sings," said a defiant Meyer.
Superb Blues are earning their success, says Meyer; the edf energy cup
The run-in for Alloa looks to be much easier than ours but it's never over till the fat lady sings, although she must be mighty close to it.
Letter: ROW Z - FANZINE; THE PUNTERS' PAGE THE PLAYERS READ
Claire Cowie, of Teams, wanted to know where 'It isn't over till the fat lady sings', 'it's like getting blood from a stone' and 'stealing ones thunder' originated from.
Your questions answered?
RB says: It's not over till the Fat Lady sings, Steve - but I can hear her warming up and boy does she sound s weet!
STAR LETTER; pounds 50
THEY say it ain't over till the fat lady sings so it was perhaps unfortunate that 1980s pop star Bonnie Tyler chose to make her comeback at Upton Park as the half-time entertainment.
Football: KOP CHASE TOP TWO; BARCLAYS PREMIERSHIP PREMIERSHIP CRUNCH: WEST HAM 1 LIVERPOOL 2 FROM UPTON PARK Goal-hungry Reds step up their bid to catch United and Chelsea
It is not over till the fat lady sings ( and I ain't singing yet."
Martin's dreams dashed
(And at this writing, the season isn't over "till the Fat Lady sings." Let's hope that we've already heard her aria!) Even in a state where its governor has such an influential family name, there have been problems.
Integrity: what's it all about, Alfie?