The idiom "when hell freezes over" is often used to express the idea that something is unlikely or impossible to happen. The word "when" is pronounced /wɛn/ and the word "hell" is pronounced /hɛl/. The verb "freezes" is pronounced /ˈfriːzəz/ with the final "-es" added for third person singular present tense. The word "over" is pronounced /ˈoʊvər/. Together, the phrase is pronounced /wɛn hɛl ˈfriːzəz ˈoʊvər/. The spelling of the phrase follows standard English spelling conventions.
"When hell freezes over" is an idiomatic expression used to convey the impossibility or extreme unlikelihood of a stated event or circumstance ever coming to pass. This widely recognized phrase suggests that a particular situation is so improbable that it would only occur in a mythical scenario where hell, typically associated with fire and eternal torment, is frozen over or frozen solid, causing a complete reversal of natural order or an extreme change in conditions.
This expression is often employed in a sarcastic or ironic manner to express doubt or disbelief regarding the likelihood of a predicted outcome. It emphasizes the speaker's conviction that the anticipated event will never happen, conveying a strong sense of skepticism or opposition. When someone responds to a proposal or suggestion by saying "when hell freezes over," they are effectively asserting not only the unlikelihood of the event but also their unwavering conviction against its occurrence.
The phrase is rooted in Christian mythology and draws upon the traditional depiction of hell as a place of eternal punishment and suffering. By employing this vivid and dramatic imagery, the expression "when hell freezes over" underscores the perceived impossibility of that which is being discussed, leaving no room for doubt about the speaker's skepticism.