"…once in a blue moon" / "Once in a blue moon…"

Meaning: not very often; rarely

Similar Expressions

• I see her once in a blue moon.
• I rarely see her.
• I don't see her often.
• I almost never see her.

When do we use it?

We use this expression to emphasize that an event or activity does not happen very often.

How do we use it?

We typically use this expression at the end of a sentence.

• We go camping once in a blue moon.
• He only works with us once in a blue moon.

It is also possible to use this expression at the beginning of a sentence. Put a comma after this expression when using this expression at the beginning of a sentence.

• Once in a blue moon, we fight.

Since this expression is emphasizing that something does not happen often, it is common to add the word "only" to emphasize even more.

• We only see them once in a blue moon.
• They only travel once in a blue moon.
• This event only happens once in a blue moon.

Example English Conversations

A) How often do you meet your friends from high school?
B) We are all busy with work and our families, so we only meet once in a blue moon.

A) How often does this event occur?
B) It only happens once in a blue moon. We are lucky to see it.

It is important that you know English expressions and idioms if you want to have fluent English conversations with native English speakers or other advanced English speakers. Do not try to learn many expressions and idioms at one time. Instead, study a few of these free English lessons each week and learn English expressions and words well. This will help your English vocabulary improve steadily, and you will start speaking English like a native speaker.