when pigs have wings

when pigs have wings

At a point in time that will never come to pass. (Used to show skepticism or cynicism over some hypothetical situation or outcome.) A: "If we could just get Democrats and Republicans to agree on a tax reform bill, we could bring the deficit down in no time." B: "Sure, when pigs have wings!" I'm sure that David would be happy to pay for everyone—when pigs have wings.
See also: have, pig, wing
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • the thing is
  • the thing is...
  • the thing of it is
  • agree to
  • ((do) you) know what I mean
  • ((do) you) know what I'm saying
  • against the current
  • (Do) you feel (me)?
  • approve
  • approve of
References in periodicals archive
Neither kosher nor halal, the unusual catch of a Palestinian fisherman is the source of quite a few chuckles in the Euro-financed, Gaza-set "When Pigs Have Wings." French novelist-turned-director Sylvain Estibal's first feature lacks, somewhat ironically, a clear dramatic structure, though a humanistic perf from thesp Sasson Gabay ("The Band's Visit") and a combo of gentle situational comedy and light sociopolitical critique partially compensate for the story's tendency to ramble.
When Pigs Have Wings