Phrase guide

until one is blue in the face

adv · 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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1

adv

Meaning 1

For a hopelessly long time; used especially in respect to discussing, explaining, insisting, etc.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Topics: duration, time

Examples

  • Near-synonym: until the cows come home
  • You can explain it until you're blue in the face, but he will never understand.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: until the cows come home

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

By figurative extension from the concept of being literally out of breath (from talking so much, exerting oneself so much, and so on), which may sometimes cause one's face to look wan.

Across languages

Translations

7 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Czech: do zemdlení — for a long time
  • Czech: do úmoru — for a long time
  • Czech: do zblbnutí — for a long time
  • French: jusqu'à en perdre haleine — for a long time
  • Polish: do utraty tchu — for a long time
  • Russian: до посинения (do posinenija) — for a long time
  • Zazaki: heta rı sur bo — for a long time