until one is blue in the face

until one is blue in the face

English

Pronunciation

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Adverb

until one is blue in the face

1. (duration, idiomatic) For a hopelessly long time; used especially in respect to discussing, explaining, insisting, etc.

   You can explain it until you're blue in the face, but he will never understand.

   • 1937, Rodgers and Hart (lyrics and music), “Johnny One Note”:

     Poor Johnny one-note yelled willy nilly / Until he was blue in the face

Synonyms

• (for a long time): until the cows come home

Translations

for a long time

French: jusqu'à en perdre haleine Polish: do utraty tchu Russian: до посинения (ru) (do posinenija)

See also

• cyanosis