Phrase guide

that'll be the day

phrase · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • Received-Pronunciation: /ˌðætl̩ biː ðə ˈdeɪ/
  • General-American: /ˌðætl̩ bi ðə ˈdeɪ/
  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

phrase

Meaning 1

Said in reply to something that one believes will never happen.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: New-Zealand, idiomatic, informal

Examples

  • I’m going to get into work on time today. — That’ll be the day!

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: that'll be the frosty Friday

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Originally referring to a significant day in the future regarded as worth waiting for.

Across languages

Translations

6 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: sen päivän kun näkisi — said in reply to something that one believes will never happen
  • French: quand les poules auront des dents — said in reply to something that one believes will never happen
  • French: c’est pas demain la veille — said in reply to something that one believes will never happen
  • Greek: ζήσε Μάη μου (zíse Mái mou) — said in reply to something that one believes will never happen
  • Polish: akurat — said in reply to something that one believes will never happen
  • Spanish: el día que la vaca vuele — said in reply to something that one believes will never happen