that'll be the day
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that'll be the day
- /ˌðætl̩ biː ðə ˈdeɪ/ UK
- /ˌðætl̩ bi ðə ˈdeɪ/ US
Where it comes from
Originally referring to a significant day in the future regarded as worth waiting for.
phrase
-
Said in reply to something that one believes will never happen.
I’m going to get into work on time today. — That’ll be the day!
Similar: that'll be the frosty Friday
Translations
Every language
phrase said in reply to something that one believes will never happen
| Español | el día que la vaca vuele |
|---|---|
| Français | quand les poules auront des dents, c’est pas demain la veille |
| Ελληνικά | ζήσε Μάη μου zíse Mái mou |
Talk about this word "that'll be the day." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/that'll%20be%20the%20day. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026. that'll be the day. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 7, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/that'll%20be%20the%20day "that'll be the day." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 7, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/that'll%20be%20the%20day.Cite this
@misc{that_ll_be_the_day_2026,
title = {that'll be the day},
howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
year = {2026},
url = {https://micwyn.com/word/that'll%20be%20the%20day},
urldate = {2026-11-07}
}
