Some things in life don’t happen every day. They might be so unusual that they stand out right away. In the USA, people often use idioms to talk about these rare events. Idioms make language more fun and can help describe something without needing a long explanation. They can also make a story more interesting to listen to.
When something is rare, people might compare it to something unusual in nature, history, or daily life. These sayings have been passed down through generations, and Americans still use them in casual talks, TV shows, and even newspapers. Learning these idioms can help you understand conversations better and make your own speech more colorful.
Idioms for Rare
1. Once in a blue moon
Meaning: Something that happens very rarely.
Example Sentence:
• We go to the beach once in a blue moon.
• She visits her hometown once in a blue moon.
Other ways to say: Hardly ever, almost never
Fun Fact/Origin: A “blue moon” is the second full moon in a month, which is rare.
Usage: Used when describing events that don’t happen often in the USA.
2. Few and far between
Meaning: Not happening often or in small numbers.
Example Sentence:
• Good diners like this are few and far between.
• Snowy days are few and far between in Florida.
Other ways to say: Rare, uncommon
Fun Fact/Origin: First used in the 1600s to describe things spread far apart.
Usage: Used when talking about things that don’t show up often.
3. Like finding a needle in a haystack
Meaning: Something very hard to find.
Example Sentence:
• Finding my lost earring in the park was like finding a needle in a haystack.
• Looking for the right file in that messy office is like finding a needle in a haystack.
Other ways to say: Nearly impossible, extremely rare to locate
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the image of looking for one tiny needle in a large pile of hay.
Usage: Used when searching for something that’s almost impossible to find.
4. One in a million
Meaning: Very special and rare.
Example Sentence:
• Her kindness makes her one in a million.
• That vintage car is one in a million.
Other ways to say: Exceptional, rare find
Fun Fact/Origin: The phrase became popular in the early 1900s to mean extremely uncommon.
Usage: Used to praise someone or something very rare and valuable.
5. Rare as hen’s teeth
Meaning: Extremely rare.
Example Sentence:
• Jobs like that are as rare as hen’s teeth.
• Honest car dealers can feel as rare as hen’s teeth.
Other ways to say: Very rare, almost nonexistent
Fun Fact/Origin: Hens don’t have teeth, making the idea humorous and showing rarity.
Usage: Used to describe something you hardly ever see.
6. Once in a lifetime
Meaning: Happening only once in a person’s life.
Example Sentence:
• Traveling to space is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
• Meeting the President was a once-in-a-lifetime moment for her.
Other ways to say: Unrepeatable, unique chance
Fun Fact/Origin: First appeared in American newspapers in the early 1900s.
Usage: Used for special events unlikely to happen again.
7. Few and far apart
Meaning: Scattered and rare.
Example Sentence:
• Good camping spots are few and far apart here.
• Gas stations in the desert are few and far apart.
Other ways to say: Scarce, uncommon
Fun Fact/Origin: Similar to “few and far between” but emphasizes distance.
Usage: Used when talking about rare things spread out over space or time.
8. Rare bird
Meaning: A person or thing that is unusual.
Example Sentence:
• He’s a rare bird in politics—honest and kind.
• That museum is a rare bird in this small town.
Other ways to say: Unusual person, one of a kind
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from birdwatching, where rare species are prized finds.
Usage: Used when something or someone is uncommon in a setting.
9. Scarce as snow in July
Meaning: Extremely rare or impossible.
Example Sentence:
• Good parking in New York is scarce as snow in July.
• Fresh strawberries in winter are scarce as snow in July.
Other ways to say: Nearly impossible, very rare
Fun Fact/Origin: Used in the USA to show how unlikely something is.
Usage: Used for things that almost never happen.
10. Diamond in the rough
Meaning: Someone or something with great value hidden under an ordinary appearance.
Example Sentence:
• That shy student is a diamond in the rough.
• This old house is a diamond in the rough—it just needs work.
Other ways to say: Hidden gem, undiscovered treasure
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from unpolished diamonds, which need shaping to shine.
Usage: Used for people or things with potential that’s not obvious.
11. Black swan
Meaning: An event that is very rare and unexpected.
Example Sentence:
• The sudden storm was a black swan for the small town.
• Winning the lottery is a black swan event for most people.
Other ways to say: Unpredictable event, rare occurrence
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the old belief that all swans were white until black swans were found in Australia.
Usage: Used for rare surprises, often with big impact.
12. A snowball in July
Meaning: Something that has almost no chance of happening.
Example Sentence:
• That team winning the championship is like a snowball in July.
• His plan to drive across the USA without gas money is like a snowball in July.
Other ways to say: Impossible, hopeless
Fun Fact/Origin: Based on snow melting quickly in summer heat.
Usage: Used for things with very slim odds.
13. Once in a thousand years
Meaning: Very rare, almost never happening.
Example Sentence:
• This kind of comet appears once in a thousand years.
• That singer’s talent comes once in a thousand years.
Other ways to say: Extremely rare, once in forever
Fun Fact/Origin: Often used to exaggerate rarity for effect.
Usage: Used to stress that something is almost impossible to see twice.
14. As rare as a unicorn
Meaning: Completely imaginary or almost impossible to find.
Example Sentence:
• An honest politician is as rare as a unicorn.
• A parking space downtown at rush hour is as rare as a unicorn.
Other ways to say: Mythical, nonexistent
Fun Fact/Origin: Unicorns are legendary creatures never proven to exist.
Usage: Used when something is so rare it may not even exist.
15. Few and precious
Meaning: Rare and valuable.
Example Sentence:
• Her free days are few and precious.
• Opportunities like this are few and precious.
Other ways to say: Rare treasure, limited and valuable
Fun Fact/Origin: Combines the idea of rarity with value.
Usage: Used for things you treasure because they don’t happen often.
16. Once in a great while
Meaning: Occasionally, but rarely.
Example Sentence:
• We eat out once in a great while.
• He calls his old coach once in a great while.
Other ways to say: Rarely, from time to time
Fun Fact/Origin: Popular in casual American English to mean “seldom.”
Usage: Used in everyday talk to note something uncommon.
17. Blue-ribbon
Meaning: Something of the highest quality, rare and special.
Example Sentence:
• That pie is a blue-ribbon dessert.
• She’s a blue-ribbon student in every subject.
Other ways to say: Prize-winning, top-notch
Fun Fact/Origin: Blue ribbons are given as first prize at fairs in the USA.
Usage: Used for rare high-quality things.
18. Once in a dog’s age
Meaning: Very rarely.
Example Sentence:
• We went fishing together once in a dog’s age.
• He visits his uncle once in a dog’s age.
Other ways to say: Hardly ever, almost never
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea that a “dog’s age” is a long time.
Usage: Used when something happens after a very long gap.
19. Rare as a comet’s tail
Meaning: Very uncommon.
Example Sentence:
• Good neighbors are rare as a comet’s tail.
• Fresh peaches in January are rare as a comet’s tail.
Other ways to say: Uncommon, unusual
Fun Fact/Origin: Comets appear only occasionally and tails are a special sight.
Usage: Used for things you rarely come across.
20. A rare gem
Meaning: Something or someone very special.
Example Sentence:
• That diner is a rare gem in this city.
• She’s a rare gem among teachers.
Other ways to say: Treasure, hidden jewel
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from valuable gems that are hard to find.
Usage: Used to praise something valuable and uncommon.
21. Scarce as hen’s hair
Meaning: Something impossible to find.
Example Sentence:
• Tickets for the concert are scarce as hen’s hair.
• Snow in Texas is scarce as hen’s hair.
Other ways to say: Impossible, nonexistent
Fun Fact/Origin: Like hen’s teeth, hens don’t have hair either.
Usage: Used for humorous exaggerations about rarity.
22. Like winning the lottery
Meaning: Extremely rare and lucky.
Example Sentence:
• Getting that internship was like winning the lottery.
• Meeting her favorite singer was like winning the lottery.
Other ways to say: Unlikely, once-in-a-lifetime luck
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to the very low odds of winning big money in the lottery.
Usage: Used for rare lucky events.
23. As rare as a blue rose
Meaning: Almost impossible or extremely unusual.
Example Sentence:
• True loyalty in politics is as rare as a blue rose.
• A calm airport at Christmas is as rare as a blue rose.
Other ways to say: Nonexistent, extremely rare
Fun Fact/Origin: Blue roses do not grow naturally.
Usage: Used for things that are beautiful and rare.
24. One-of-a-kind
Meaning: Totally unique, unlike anything else.
Example Sentence:
• This quilt is one-of-a-kind.
• Her singing voice is one-of-a-kind.
Other ways to say: Unique, special
Fun Fact/Origin: Commonly used in US sales and art shows.
Usage: Used to show that something is unmatched.
25. As rare as good barbecue in New York
Meaning: Hard to find in certain places.
Example Sentence:
• Friendly cab drivers here are as rare as good barbecue in New York.
• Empty subway seats at rush hour are as rare as good barbecue in New York.
Other ways to say: Scarce, hard to come by
Fun Fact/Origin: Barbecue is more famous in the southern USA than in New York.
Usage: Used for rare things in specific areas.
26. A hidden treasure
Meaning: Something valuable that’s not well known.
Example Sentence:
• That park is a hidden treasure in our town.
• She’s a hidden treasure in the school’s art department.
Other ways to say: Secret gem, little-known prize
Fun Fact/Origin: Based on treasure that’s buried and undiscovered.
Usage: Used for things worth discovering.
27. Rare treat
Meaning: Something enjoyable that doesn’t happen often.
Example Sentence:
• Going to the movies is a rare treat for us.
• Dinner out is a rare treat when you’re busy.
Other ways to say: Special occasion, uncommon delight
Fun Fact/Origin: Treats are linked to rewards or celebrations.
Usage: Used for pleasant things that happen infrequently.
28. As rare as a good hair day in humidity
Meaning: Very hard to get under certain conditions.
Example Sentence:
• A quiet day at the office is as rare as a good hair day in humidity.
• Free parking near the beach is as rare as a good hair day in humidity.
Other ways to say: Nearly impossible, unusual
Fun Fact/Origin: Humidity makes hair frizz, common joke in the USA.
Usage: Used for humorous takes on rarity.
29. Collector’s item
Meaning: An object that is rare and valued by collectors.
Example Sentence:
• That vintage baseball card is a collector’s item.
• Her handbag is a collector’s item.
Other ways to say: Rare find, sought-after piece
Fun Fact/Origin: Popular among hobbyists who seek rare objects.
Usage: Used for items valued because of rarity.
30. Rare sight
Meaning: Something you don’t see often.
Example Sentence:
• A bald eagle in the city is a rare sight.
• That old car on the road is a rare sight.
Other ways to say: Uncommon view, unusual scene
Fun Fact/Origin: Popular phrase in American nature talks.
Usage: Used for visual things you seldom see.
31. Once in a coon’s age
Meaning: Very rarely.
Example Sentence:
• We see them once in a coon’s age.
• She bakes pies once in a coon’s age.
Other ways to say: Rarely, seldom
Fun Fact/Origin: Southern US slang from the 1800s, meaning a long time.
Usage: Used in casual conversation about rare events.
32. Golden opportunity
Meaning: A rare and valuable chance.
Example Sentence:
• That job offer is a golden opportunity.
• Meeting the author was a golden opportunity.
Other ways to say: Rare chance, perfect shot
Fun Fact/Origin: Gold symbolizes great value.
Usage: Used for important chances you don’t get often.
33. Rare occasion
Meaning: A special and uncommon event.
Example Sentence:
• This dinner is a rare occasion for our family.
• Seeing a double rainbow is a rare occasion.
Other ways to say: Unusual event, special time
Fun Fact/Origin: Used in speeches and formal writing.
Usage: Used for marking unusual or special times.
34. Unheard of
Meaning: Something so rare it’s surprising.
Example Sentence:
• Snow in May is unheard of here.
• That much kindness from a stranger is unheard of.
Other ways to say: Extremely rare, shocking
Fun Fact/Origin: Means something hasn’t been known before.
Usage: Used for surprising rare events.
35. As rare as a $3 bill
Meaning: Impossible to find because it doesn’t exist.
Example Sentence:
• That rumor is as rare as a $3 bill.
• An honest gossip is as rare as a $3 bill.
Other ways to say: Fake, nonexistent
Fun Fact/Origin: US paper money never had a $3 bill.
Usage: Used for humorous takes on impossibility.
36. Hidden pearl
Meaning: Something valuable hidden from plain view.
Example Sentence:
• That bakery is a hidden pearl in our city.
• She’s a hidden pearl in the art world.
Other ways to say: Secret treasure, rare jewel
Fun Fact/Origin: Pearls are hidden inside shells and are rare to find.
Usage: Used for things not widely known but valuable.
37. A needle in the desert
Meaning: Something impossible to find.
Example Sentence:
• My lost phone in the park is like a needle in the desert.
• Finding the right bus here is like a needle in the desert.
Other ways to say: Hopeless search, impossible find
Fun Fact/Origin: Twist on “needle in a haystack” but with desert imagery.
Usage: Used for searches with no chance of success.
38. Rare as kindness in rush hour
Meaning: Very hard to find in stressful situations.
Example Sentence:
• Patience on the freeway is as rare as kindness in rush hour.
• A smile on Monday morning is as rare as kindness in rush hour.
Other ways to say: Nearly impossible, unusual
Fun Fact/Origin: Plays on common US traffic frustrations.
Usage: Used humorously about human behavior.
39. Rare find
Meaning: Something unusual and valuable.
Example Sentence:
• This book is a rare find at the thrift store.
• Her recipe is a rare find in our family.
Other ways to say: Treasure, hidden gem
Fun Fact/Origin: Common in American garage sale talk.
Usage: Used for unexpected valuable discoveries.
40. Few on the ground
Meaning: Not many available.
Example Sentence:
• Tickets for the game are few on the ground.
• Jobs like that are few on the ground here.
Other ways to say: Scarce, in short supply
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from farming—few crops on the ground means low yield.
Usage: Used for limited availability.
41. As rare as a polite honk
Meaning: Something you almost never hear.
Example Sentence:
• A polite honk in New York traffic is as rare as a polite honk.
• Good news from the DMV is as rare as a polite honk.
Other ways to say: Unusual, uncommon courtesy
Fun Fact/Origin: Reflects busy, impatient US driving culture.
Usage: Used in humorous, city-life contexts.
42. Uncommon as rain in the desert
Meaning: Very rare.
Example Sentence:
• Snow here is uncommon as rain in the desert.
• Fresh water in that area is uncommon as rain in the desert.
Other ways to say: Unlikely, scarce
Fun Fact/Origin: Deserts get very little rain.
Usage: Used for natural or situational rarity.
43. Rare air
Meaning: A special or elite place or group.
Example Sentence:
• Winning three gold medals puts her in rare air.
• That band’s talent is in rare air.
Other ways to say: Elite, exceptional
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the thin air at high mountains where few reach.
Usage: Used for top-level achievements.
44. Unusual as a quiet toddler
Meaning: Something almost impossible.
Example Sentence:
• A clean teenager’s room is unusual as a quiet toddler.
• An empty mall at Christmas is unusual as a quiet toddler.
Other ways to say: Nearly impossible, rare
Fun Fact/Origin: Plays on common parenting experiences in the USA.
Usage: Used humorously about things that rarely happen.
45. One for the books
Meaning: A rare and memorable event.
Example Sentence:
• That championship win was one for the books.
• Their surprise party was one for the books.
Other ways to say: Memorable, unforgettable
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to record books that keep track of special events.
Usage: Used when something rare is worth remembering.
Quiz: Idioms for Rare
Instructions: Choose the best answer for each question. Only one answer is correct.
Question Key
1. What does “once in a blue moon” mean?
A) It happens very rarely.
B) It happens every month.
C) It happens all the time.
2. If something is “like finding a needle in a haystack,” what does it mean?
A) It is fun and exciting.
B) It is very hard to find.
C) It is easy to spot.
3. What does “one in a million” mean?
A) Someone or something very rare and special.
B) Someone who is average.
C) Something that happens every day.
4. If something is “rare as hen’s teeth,” what does that mean?
A) It is common.
B) It is extremely rare.
C) It is easy to find.
5. What does “once in a lifetime” mean?
A) It happens many times.
B) It happens only once.
C) It happens every week.
6. If someone is called a “rare bird,” what does it mean?
A) They are unusual.
B) They like birds.
C) They work with animals.
7. What does “diamond in the rough” mean?
A) Something with hidden value.
B) Something shiny but worthless.
C) Something already perfect.
8. If an event is a “black swan,” what does that mean?
A) It is a normal event.
B) It is rare and unexpected.
C) It is planned far in advance.
9. What does “once in a dog’s age” mean?
A) It happens very rarely.
B) It happens every day.
C) It happens every week.
10. If someone calls something a “rare gem,” what are they saying?
A) It is ordinary.
B) It is valuable and uncommon.
C) It is broken.
11. What does “like winning the lottery” mean?
A) Something extremely rare and lucky.
B) Something that happens often.
C) Something guaranteed to happen.
12. If something is a “golden opportunity,” what does it mean?
A) It is a rare and valuable chance.
B) It is a normal event.
C) It is a small and unimportant chance.
13. What does “unheard of” mean?
A) Very rare or surprising.
B) Common and ordinary.
C) Loud and noisy.
14. If something is “as rare as a $3 bill,” what does it mean?
A) It is fake or nonexistent.
B) It is expensive.
C) It is very valuable.
15. What does “one for the books” mean?
A) Something boring.
B) A rare and memorable event.
C) Something ordinary.
Answer Key
- A) It happens very rarely.
- B) It is very hard to find.
- A) Someone or something very rare and special.
- B) It is extremely rare.
- B) It happens only once.
- A) They are unusual.
- A) Something with hidden value.
- B) It is rare and unexpected.
- A) It happens very rarely.
- B) It is valuable and uncommon.
- A) Something extremely rare and lucky.
- A) It is a rare and valuable chance.
- A) Very rare or surprising.
- A) It is fake or nonexistent.
- B) A rare and memorable event.
Wrapping Up
Idioms for rare events make everyday conversations in the USA more colorful. They help describe moments and things that don’t come around often. Whether it’s a “once in a blue moon” trip or spotting a “rare gem” in a thrift store, these sayings give a quick way to share how special something is. Learning them can make talking and listening more fun.
